A Cross-Sectional Study of Quality of life, Psychiatric Illness, Perceived Social Support, Suicidal Risk and Selfesteem among patients with burns

Abstract

Introduction: Burns is one of the foremost causes of worldwide morbidity. Changes in appearance and functional impairment causes stigmatisation, impacting socio-occupational engagement and causing discomfort. Aims and Objectives: The study examined prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in post-burn patients, their perceived social support and self-esteem. It further assessed quality of life amongst post-burn patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary care centre where 100 patients were interviewed using purposive sampling technique over six months. Patients were administered a semi-structured questionnaire along with Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and WHO Quality Of Life – BREF (WHOQOL- BREF) scales. Contingency tables and Spearman's correlation helped to examine associations and correlations. Fischer's exact test, Mann Whitney test and ANOVA test were also used for statistical analysis. Results and Discussion: There is high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among patients with burns. The most common disorder was major depressive episode. Low self-esteem was found in one-third of patients with burns. Patients having low self-esteem had eleven times higher prevalence of suicidality. Patients with burns had high perceived social support. Quality of life in patients with burns depends on self-esteem, perceived social support and presence of psychiatric illnesses. Conclusion: This study illustrates the need for thorough evaluation and screening in patients with burns for psychopathology and self-esteem issues by primary physicians. Behaviour therapy, supportive psychotherapy, counselling and adequate socio-occupational rehabilitation of the patient should be done. Spreading awareness and organising support groups for patients with burns at the primary health centre level can be effective.

A systematic review of social support and related factors among burns patients

“…After a comprehensive review of the full text of the study, 15 studies were omitted due to inadequate design or results, and nine studies were excluded due to a lack of appropriate information. Finally, 12 studies 39,43,[47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] were included in this systematic review (Figure 1).…”

“…A total of 1677 burn patients entered this systematic review in 12 cross-sectional studies. 39,43,[47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] 39,43,47,48,53,54,56 64.35% and 19.57% of patients had thermal and chemical burns, respectively (n = 7). 39,43,47,48,50,53,56 To assess perceived social support in burn patients, eight studies 39,43,[47][48][49][50]55,56 used the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) scale, one study 51 used the Phillips's social support questionnaire, one study 52 used the social support questionnaire, one study 54 used the social support scale (SSS) and one study 53 used the Norbeck social support questionnaire (NSSQ).…”

“…39,43,[47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] 39,43,47,48,53,54,56 64.35% and 19.57% of patients had thermal and chemical burns, respectively (n = 7). 39,43,47,48,50,53,56 To assess perceived social support in burn patients, eight studies 39,43,[47][48][49][50]55,56 used the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) scale, one study 51 used the Phillips's social support questionnaire, one study 52 used the social support questionnaire, one study 54 used the social support scale (SSS) and one study 53 used the Norbeck social support questionnaire (NSSQ). Countries whose studies were included in this systematic review included Iran (n = 4), 43,47,51,53 Pakistan (n = 4), 49,[54][55][56] Brazil (n = 1), 52 Turkey (n = 1), 50 India (n = 1) 39 and Jordan (n = 1).…”

“…33 These burn complications can be exacerbated without adequate social support. 39 Social support is help from others that the patient can understand and accept. The environmental support from the social support networks of burn patients has a positive effect on the physical and mental health of the patient and protects them against stressors.…”

O sofrimento, a depressão e o impacto na autoimagem em indivíduos com queimaduras

“…A autoimagem é intrínseca a cada indivíduo e sofre variações durante a vida conforme as situações vivenciadas. Estudo com indivíduos queimados encontrou alta prevalência de transtornos psiquiátricos na maioria dos participantes, em maior escala para o transtorno depressivo maior e com significativa relação entre autoimagem e transtornos psiquiátricos, principalmente para depressão maior e comportamento suicida 11 . Reforçamos a importância de se investigar a saúde mental dos sobreviventes de queimaduras porque essa, quando bem fortalecida, influencia a mudança de atitude com vistas a enfrentar adversidades e o sofrimento e fornece informações para que os centros de atendimento a queimados possam desenvolver estratégias eficazes para auxiliar no controle e enfrentamento do sofrimento 12 .…”