Post-traumatic stress disorder after severe burn in southern Taiwan

This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the prevalence and risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after severe burn, and the need for psychological intervention for burn patients in southern Taiwan. Participants (N = 82) were assessed by means of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatry Interview (MINI) scale with a structured questionnaire. Results showed that the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in burn patients who met the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD was 26.8%. The risk factors related to PTSD in burn patients were: female, unmarried, and a lack of leisure arrangements after adjusting for confounding factors. PTSD patients needed more psychological intervention than the non-PTSD patients. These results suggest that PTSD after severe burn was not uncommon in southern Taiwan. The identified risk factors could provide clues to help burn care professionals provide multidisciplinary intervention.