Long-term consequences of electrical injury: neuropsychological predictors of adjustment

Abstract

Findings demonstrate that poor outcome 4 years after EI is largely predicated by early emotional sequelae. Early screening and specialized interventions are needed to address psychological symptomatology among EI survivors.

Neurological and neurourological complications of electrical injuries

“…Radiation is an additional method of transmitting electrical energy to the body (e.g. microwaves, X-rays) [5].…”

“…The first and second categories are the most common responses of the body to injury. A paradigm of a transient and immediate sequel of electrical injury might be retrograde amnesia or loss of consciousness [5]. A prolonged immediate effect could be a brain haematoma or infarction.…”

“…As regards neurological consequences, approximately 50% of patients suffering low-voltage injuries have some degree of neurological symptoms, compared to 67% after sustaining high-voltage injuries [5].…”

“…Furthermore, the long-term neurological, cognitive, psychological and neurourological sequelae of an electrical injury can remain unrecognised and worsen. From this point of view, it is unsurprising that many electrically injured people are confronted with serious working difficulties afterwards [5]. In fact, they are less likely to be employed one year post-injury, even compared to survivors of fires [6].…”

“…Amputations (with rates of 10-68% in electrically injured survivors) [2,6] neurological impairments (21%) [5], and neuropsychological and behavioural impairments (59.2% in the same survivors) [5] are considered the main complications that affect the ability to return to work [2].…”