Post-traumatic stress disorder in burn patients - A large database analysis

INTRODUCTION

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) afflicts a significant portion of burn patients. This study aims to analyze the morbidity, prevalence, and treatment of PTSD in the burn population.

METHODS

Using the TriNetX database, we identified burned patients > 18 years of age without (A) or with (B) a PTSD diagnosis. Patients were then stratified by percent of total body surface area (TBSA) burned. Morbidity and mortality was analyzed in each cohort. Prevalence and pharmacologic treatments for PTSD were analyzed from 2002 to 2022.

RESULTS

PTSD incidence increased from 2.4% (n = 2281) in patients with < 10% to 3.1% (n = 542) in 10-30%, 7.4% (n = 285) in 30-59%, and 5.3% (n = 90) in > 60% TBSA burned. In patients with < 60% TBSA burned, PTSD diagnosis increased the risk of depression (p = <0.0003) and anxiety (p = <0.0001). In those with < 30% TBSA burned, PTSD diagnosis also increased risk of insomnia (p = <0.0001) and pruritus (p = 0.0211 for TBSA <10% and 0.0059 for TBSA 10-29%). PTSD diagnosis was associated with a decreased risk of mortality in patients with > 30% TBSA burned (p = 0.0179 for TBSA 30-59% and p = 0.0089 for TBSA >60%). From 2002 to 2022, the prevalence of PTSD in all burn patients was relatively stable between 2.2% and 3.2%. We found an increase in the use of serotonergic agents and prazosin for the treatment of PTSD during this timeframe.

CONCLUSION

PTSD is not uncommon in the burn population, and those with burns and concomitant PTSD have an increased risk of morbidity. Screening and preventative measures to reduce morbidity and early implementation of care in burned patients with PTSD are indicated.

An update on the use of near-infrared autofluorescence imaging in endocrine surgical procedures

Over the past decade, near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) imaging has been a major breakthrough in endocrine surgery. Although initial focus was directed at the parathyroid glands, subsequent work has also shown that non-parathyroid neuroendocrine tumors also possess autofluorescence properties. The aim of this review is to present an update and synopsis about NIRAF applications in various endocrine surgical procedures. Methodology includes a review of the literature supplemented with expert opinion. Overall, our review reveals that the use of NIRAF may provide the surgeon with adjunctive critical information that has the potential to change the conduct of many various endocrine surgical procedures.