Psychological complications of maxillofacial trauma: preliminary findings from a Nigerian university teaching hospital.
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.
Ukpong
Dominic Ignatius
DI
Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Ugboko
Vincent Ifechukwukwu
VI
Ndukwe
Kizito Chioma
KC
Gbolahan
Olalere
O
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