Prevalence and Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology Among Burn Survivors

Burns can be a traumatic and stressful experience, although each patient may respond in
very different ways. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the variability on
Post-traumatic stress disorder and Acute Stress Disorder prevalence, and evaluate the
specific weight of different variables on Post-traumatic stress disorder development
among adult burn patients. Methods: A systematic review was carried out to explore
the prevalence of acute and Post-traumatic stress disorder and identify their predictors.
Meta-analytical methods were used to explore the strength of association between Posttraumatic
stress disorder and the latter. From an initial pool of 190 studies, 24 were used
in the systematic review, and only 19studies could be used for the meta-analysis due to
different methodological limitations. Outcomes: The prevalence of Acute Stress
Disorder at baseline ranged from 2 to 30% and prevalence of Post-traumatic stress
disorder ranged from 3 to 35% at 1 month, 2-40% between 3 and 6 months, 9-45% in
the year post-injury and ranged 7-25% more than two years later. Life threat perception
was the strongest predictor for Post-traumatic stress disorder occurrence, followed by
acute intrusive symptoms and pain associated with burn injuries. Conclusions:
Predictive variables identified in this research may be useful in targeting burn patients
who are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress symptoms and stress related
psychological symptoms.