A Follow-Up Study of Adults With Suicidal Burns: Psychosocial Adjustment and Quality of Life

Abstract

The severity of the burn injuries, accompanying injuries, and the often concomitant psychiatric disease complicate the treatment of patients with suicidal burns. Data from 45 patients who were treated for suicidal burn injuries from 1994 to 2005 were acquired from the patients' charts and interviews with standardized questionnaires (n = 11) concerning their psychological status pretrauma and posttrauma, as well as their quality of life with special reference to psychosocial adjustments. None of the patients survived more than 69% TBSA burns; no one with 41% or less died. Most of the patients had prediagnosed psychiatric disorders. The educational and social background of the patients and religious beliefs played a minor role for choosing this method of suicide. Aggression levels were above the average population, whereas self-direction was underdeveloped. Forty percent, albeit unsuccessfully, committed subsequent suicide attempts. Most patients felt only moderate social impairment by the burn wound residuals, the majority had intensified and improved their social contacts, and most felt no relevant decrease of quality of life compared with their personal situation before the suicide attempt. Patients who survive the suicide attempt can become integrated in social life again. More data are needed to reliably identify patients at risk in advance.

Epidemiology and Outcome Analysis of Severe Extensive Burns

“…This is why the overall QOL scores of major burn patients in these countries are more satisfactory. [15][16][17] With the improvement of living standard and advances in technologies, burn centers in China have been increasingly aware of the importance of improving the subsequent QOL of SEB patients, and efforts have been made in functional rehabilitation treatment. However, as burn rehabilitation in China is in the infant stage, there is still much more work to be done in multiple fields to raise the QOL of SEB patients, which is posing many challenges in front of Chinese clinicians and researchers.…”

“Reverse tensor fascia latae perforator flap for reconstruction of knee defect: Anatomic study by computed tomographic angiography and a case report”

“…These muscular flaps show great reliability, but they are associated with a significant loss of ankle plantar flexion strength and should be avoided in young patients. (Daigeler et al, 2009) The advent of perforator flaps has dramatically increased the reconstruction options and are now favored by some authors. (Gravvanis et al, 2005) Fasciocutaneous perforator flaps present the advantages of less morbidity, and better pliability, and cosmetic outcomes.…”

“…(Gravvanis et al, 2014) Muscular flaps (median or lateral gastrocnemius flaps) are widely used, especially after infections or knee prosthesis exposure.These muscular flaps show great reliability, but they are associated with a significant loss of ankle plantar flexion strength and should be avoided in young patients (Daigeler et al, 2009). The advent of perforator flaps has dramatically increased the reconstruction options and are now favored by some authors (Gravvanis et al, 2005).…”

Os motivos da escolha do fogo nas tentativas de suicídio realizadas por mulheres

“…Os estudos existentes sobre tentativa de suicídio pelo uso do fogo são, em geral, baseados em prontuários (Ahmadi & Ytterstad, 2007;Chan & Burd, 2012;Daigeler et al, 2009). Nenhum estudo foi encontrado até o momento em que se tenha explorado os motivos pela escolha do fogo em sobreviventes de tentativas de suicídio.…”

“…Em outro estudo, dois terços da amostra apresentaram distúrbios (Rothschild, Raatschen, & Schneider, 2001 As histórias de tentativas de suicídio anteriores devem ser entendidas como um importante fator de risco a ser considerado (Chan & Burd, 2012;Daigeler et al, 2009). No primeiro relato, a participante declara sua intenção de morrer por não tolerar a perda da mãe (adotiva) que fora uma fi gura signifi cativa em sua vida, a mesma vê nos comportamentos suicidas uma saída para o seu sofrimento; já no segundo relato, a participante declara certo prazer nos atos que realiza, testando todos os limites possíveis desde a infância.…”