Mental health outcomes of burn: A longitudinal population-based study of adults hospitalized for burns

•Comparison of relative rate of mental illness of burn survivors and controls.•After controlling for age, gender and income, no change in relative rate between groups.•Pre-existing mental illness may be associated with burns in adults.

PurposeThis study investigates the increased risk of mental health outcomes and health care utilization associated with burn with two year of follow-up using a longitudinal population-based matched cohort design.MethodsAdult burn survivors (n = 157) were identified from a provincial burn registry and matched 1:5 with non-burn control subjects from the general population (matching variables age and gender). The prevalence of mental health outcomes and the rates of health care utilization between the groups were compared for the 2 years pre and post index date using anonymously linked population-based administrative health care data. Rates were adjusted for age, gender and sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsWhile the burn cohort had an increased prevalence of mental health problems after burn compared to the control cohort, the burn group also had an increased prevalence of pre-burn depression (16.6% vs 7.8%; p = 0.0005) and substance use disorders (8.9% vs 3.2%; p = 0.001) when compared to controls. Once the pre-existing prevalence of mental illness was taken into account there was no significant change in the prevalence of mental health problems when comparing the burn group to controls over time.ConclusionsAlthough burns may not increase rates of mental health issues and health care utilization, burn survivors are a vulnerable group who already demonstrate increased rates of psychopathology and need for care. The present study highlights the importance of assessment and treatment of mental health outcomes in this population.