Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine psychiatric disorders after burn trauma and burn-related features in adults.

Method:

The records of the cases who were hospitalized in the burn center between January 2015 and January 2019 and for whom psychiatric consultation was requested were retrospectively reviewed. Sociodemographic characteristics, burn-related features, psychiatric diagnoses, and treatments of the patients were examined.

Results:

The mean rate of psychiatric consultations requested in a burn center within a four-year period was 34.05% and 49 (28.5%) of these consulted cases had a work-related accident. Mean hospitalization time was 37.2±24 days and the most common burn type was a fire/flame injury. In the majority of the study sample (63.4%) the total body surface area burnt was more than 20%. Nineteen (11%) cases had a history of psychiatric disorder. The most common psychiatric diagnosis before burn injury was alcohol-drug addiction (n=14, 73.7%). The most common diagnosis after psychiatric consultation was adjustment disorder (31.9%). Among psychotropic drugs the initial treatment was started most frequently treatment with benzodiazepines (30.8%) and antipsychotics (58.1%). In 33 deceased cases, the most common psychiatric diagnosis was delirium with a rate of 42.4%.

Conclusion:

The incidence of psychiatric disorders before and after burn injury was found to be high in the individuals. Conditions with a high risk of morbidity and mortality, such as delirium, should be diagnosed and treated priorly. Due to the early and long-term effects of burn trauma, a multidisciplinary approach should be developed and psychiatrists should be included in the management of treatment.

Keywords: burn, psychiatric disorder, delirium, mortality