Symptoms of depression predict change in physical health after burn injury.
This study investigated the prevalence of symptoms of depression in patients hospitalized with severe burns and the association of symptoms of depression in the hospital with physical health 2 months after discharge, controlling for pre-burn physical health as measured by the SF-36 physical composite score. Survivors of acute burns were evaluated during the hospitalization (N=262) and at 1 week (N=165) and 2 months (N=100) after discharge. The prevalence of at least mild to moderate symptoms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory > or = 10) ranged from 23% to 26%. In-hospital symptoms of depression predicted change in physical health from pre-burn to 2 months post-discharge (p=.02), controlling for patient demographics, burn severity, and symptoms of PTSD. These results suggest that patients should be screened for depression, both in-hospital and during rehabilitation after discharge.
Thombs
Brett D
BD
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. brett.thombs@mcgill.ca
Bresnick
Melissa G
MG
Magyar-Russell
Gina
G
Lawrence
John W
JW
McCann
Una D
UD
Fauerbach
James A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies