Prevalence and Determinants of Depression among Burn Injured Patients Admitted To Specialized Burn Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq

Background:

Burn injuries are associated with extreme stress and affect psychological and physical aspects of patients’ health. Depression is a major result of burn injury which affect recovery and rehabilitation of burn injury patients.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and determinant of depression and severity of depression in burn injury patients admitted to the Specialized Burn Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq

Method: Case control study included all adult patients, who fulfilled inclusion criteria. Sociodemographic data and burn related information were assessed by a questionnaire prepared for this study. DSM-V criteria of depression were used to ascertain the diagnosis of depression. Beck depression inventory II was used for assessment of severity of depression.

Results: This study included 120 burn victims. The prevalence of depression was 83.3%. Severity of depression was; mild (36.0%), moderate (44%) and severe depression 20%.

Conclusion: Proper psychiatric assessment for depression of all burn patients is of great importance because depression can affect recovery process in burn survivors.