Prevalence and co-morbidity of psychiatric disorders 1-4 years after burn

Currently, little is known about psychiatric disorders in the period following on the first year after burn. We examined the prevalence of DSM-IV Axis I disorders in burn patients 1-4 years after burn, using a standardized structured clinical interview and comparing findings with a representative general population sample.

Ninety patients admitted to five burn centres were assessed with the 12-month Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results were compared to an age and gender matched nation based norm group.

Twelve-month prevalence for any DSM-IV study disorder was 39%. Prevalence for any after burn onset disorder was 28%. Most prevailing were major depression (10%), generalized anxiety disorder (10%), and PTSD (7%). The comorbidity-proportions for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder where the highest. Fifty-seven percent of all burn onset disorders started within 1 year after the trauma and 21% within the next year. Burn patients had significantly higher prevalence rates for DSM-IV disorders than people from the general population sample.

Psychiatric morbidity among burn patients, 1-4 years after burn, is considerable and higher than what may be expected in the general population. A 2-year follow-up for anxiety and depression disorder is warranted.