Is sexuality a problem? A follow-up of patients with severe burns 6 months to 7 years after injury

• Sexuality scores improved over time, even up to 7 years after-burn, in both men and women.
• Women were less satisfied than men, as measured with the BSHS-B sexuality subscale.
• Sexuality was associated with pre-existing psychopathology, personality and burn severity.

Purpose and aimsThis is the first study investigating sexuality from 6 months up to 7 years after burn. The aim was to examine sexuality in females and males by using the BSHS-B sexuality subscale and to examine possible contributing factors with regard to sociodemographics, burn characteristics, personality traits, and previous psychiatric disorders.MethodsA cohort of 107 patients consecutively admitted to a Swedish national burn center was followed up at 6, 12, and 24 months after burn, and 67 individuals were followed up at 2–7 years after burn. The present study utilized the BSHS-B sexuality subscale, and multiple regression analyses were used to examine possible contributing factors.ResultsWomen were less satisfied than men, and sexuality mean scores improved over time, even up to 7 years after-burn, in both men and women. The strongest contributing factors for worse outcome regarding sexuality were a history of psychiatric morbidity, neuroticism and burn severity.ConclusionsAs some patients experience sexual problems after burns, even many years later, it is important to identify these individuals. The BSHS-B sexuality subscale may be used as a screening tool, but more in-depth assessment might be needed to address all aspects of sexuality.