Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

Journal:


Burns

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 33, 3, 292-298

Abstract:

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.

Author(s):


Thombs, B.D., Bresnick, M.G., Magyar-Russell, G, Lawrence, J.W., McCann, U.D., Fauerbach, J.A.