Post-traumatic stress disorder in burned patients.
Author: El hamaoui Y, Yaalaoui S, Chihabeddine K, Boukind E, Moussaoui D.
Source:
Burns. 2002 Nov;28(7):647-50.
The essential feature of post-traumatic stress disorder is the development of
characteristic symptoms following exposure to a traumatic stressor involving
direct personal experience of an event that involves threat of death oactual r
serious injury, or other threat to one's physical integrity; or witnessing an
event that involves death, injury, or a threat to physical integrity of another
person; or learning about unexpected or violent death, serious harm, or threat of
death or injury experienced by a family member or other close associate (DSM
IV).The aim of this work is to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) among the burned victims and its predicting factors. METHODS:
Patients were recruited at the Burns Department in the Ibn Rushd University
Hospital during the period between 1 October 1998 and 1 October 1999. All
patients were psychiatrically interviewed and answered a questionnaire. The
diagnosis of PTSD was done according to DSM IV criteriResults were analyzed on
Epi info software. RESULTS: Sixty patients gave their consent to participate in
this study. The 23.3% met criteria for PTSD and 55% for major depressive
disorder. In short, PTSD was related to age, explosion of gas containers for
cooking purposes, depression and low social functioning. Otherwise, no
relationship was found between PTSD and gender, length of hospitalization or
severity of burn. CONCLUSION: Post-traumatic stress disorder remains a poorly
known entity by clinicians and under-diagnosed in burned patients. Considering
the frequency of this pathology, an anti-depressant treatment and a
psychotherapeutic relationship are necessary to improve the health and the
quality of life of these patients.