Prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic stress disorder in burned patients and their family members

Abstract

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among burn patients and their family members. The objective of this study was to document the prevalence of PTSD and explore the sociodemographic and burn-specific associated factors of PTSD among Chinese burn survivors and their family members.

Methods: A total of 131 adult patients with unintentional burns and 194 family members of burn patients were recruited from two burn units. All participants completed a general information form and the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5).

Results: Fifty-five (42.0%) burn victims and ninety-nine (51.0%) family members of burn victims met the criteria for PTSD; the average score of the sample was 31.21 ± 21.56 and 33.16 ± 19.30. Logistic regression analysis revealed that middle age (45-55 years), poor economic status, greater total body surface area (TBSA) and longer time since the burn incident positively predicted the PTSD of patients and that female family members had a higher risk of PTSD.

Conclusions: Burn patients and their family members are susceptible to PTSD. Suitable and long-term psychological intervention programmes should be executed for burn patients and their family members.

Keywords: Associated factors; Burns; Family members; Post-traumatic stress disorder.