title: Psychological complications of maxillofacial trauma: preliminary findings from a Nigerian university teaching hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to determine 1) the prevalence of psychological distress in a series of subjects who sustained maxillofacial injuries and 2) temporal changes in psychological functioning over 12 weeks compared with baseline values.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, repeated-measures design study of consecutively recruited subjects at a Nigerian university teaching hospital. A total of 51 subjects with facial injuries had repeated follow-up assessments (10 days, 6 to 8 weeks, and 10 to 12 weeks) after the trauma, using standard instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The General Health Questionnaire identified a high prevalence of psychological morbidity in the subjects (90%), with 41.2% and 11.8% scoring above threshold values on the hospital anxiety and depression scales, respectively. Five subjects satisfied the criteria on the Trauma Screening Questionnaire for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder during the follow-up period. Psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire caseness) remained at high levels during the 2 follow-up assessments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The management of facial injuries should integrate a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the psychological needs of the patients in both the short term and the long term.
authors: Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors: Dominic Ignatius
authors: DI
authors: Ukpong
authors: Vincent Ifechukwukwu
authors: VI
authors: Ugboko
authors: Kizito Chioma
authors: KC
authors: Ndukwe
authors: Olalere
authors: O
authors: Gbolahan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology