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

ObjectiveCurrently, 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.MethodsNinety 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.ResultsTwelve-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.ConclusionPsychiatric 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.