PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION OF LIMB FRACTURE PATIENTS.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Limb fractures are common injuries.
• The psychological impact of limb fractures is not fully understood.
• Patients with limb fractures may experience various mental health challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with limb fractures.
• To compare the psychological status of lower limb fracture patients, upper limb fracture patients, and healthy controls.
• To identify specific psychological issues associated with limb fractures.

Main Methods:

• Seventy patients with lower or upper limb fractures and matched controls were screened.
• Utilized General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), Carroll Rating Scale for Depression (CRSD), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Impact of Events Scale (IES), Fatigue Scale (FS), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ).
• Diagnostic psychiatric evaluations were conducted for individuals identified as probable psychiatric cases.

Main Results:

• Limb fracture patients scored higher on GHQ, MAST, CRSD, IES, and FS compared to controls.
• Lower limb fracture patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders (31) than upper limb fracture patients (18) and controls (6).
• High prevalence rates of alcohol dependence/abuse (24.3%) and depressive disorders (6.4%) were observed in limb fracture patients.

Conclusions:

• Limb fracture patients experience significant psychological distress, including higher rates of alcohol abuse and depression.
• Lower limb fractures are associated with a greater psychiatric burden compared to upper limb fractures.
• Psychological interventions are recommended to improve the management and outcomes for patients with limb fractures.