What Happens after a Positive Screen for Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Outpatient Burn Clinic?

Multiple reports have demonstrated a wide prevalence of both depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within one year of burn injury. The purpose of this study is to determine outcomes of burn patients after a positive outpatient screen for depression or PTSD at an American Burn Association (ABA)-verified burn center. All patients who screened positive were offered referral for psychologic and/or psychiatric counseling. Rescreening was performed with a goal of approximately 6 months. A total of 445 patients were enrolled with 91 (20.6%) screening positive for depression and 59 (13.4%) for PTSD. Total-body-surface-area (TBSA) burned was associated with a positive screen for depression (p=0.008) and PTSD (p=0.012) while electrical injury was associated with a positive screen for depression (p = 0.029). Rescreening was done in 15.5% with 23% re-screening positive for depression and 15% for PTSD. The study validated the need for early screening and referral for psychologic and/or psychiatric counseling in this population.