Burns and mental disorder

Introduction: The study aimed to explore the prevalence of previous mental disorder and the incidence of adjustment and posttraumatic stress disorder in 60 patients with burn injuries admitted to a major burn unit in the greater Madrid area.

Methods: A total of 57 patients were assessed for serious past and present mental illness by using a semi-structured clinical interview. Current DSM-IV adjustment and posttraumatic stress disorder were assessed 6 months post burn with the structured clinical interview SCID.

Results: 60 patients were hospitalized for severe burns during the study period. 11 (17,9%) burns took place intentionally. 9 patients had tried to commit suicide. 33.5% of the participants had suffered any kind of mental disorder previously. 23 (52.3%) patients met criteria for adjustment disorder and 8 (18%) for posttraumatic stress disorder 6 months post burn.

Conclusions: The results demonstrate the importance of routine screenings of psychological symptons in burned patients. It is also necessary to promote specific psychopharmacological measures and specific psychotherapeutic interventions in this population in order to improve their medical and psychiatric prognosis and their quality of life a long-term basis.