OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical factors (physical and psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth) that predict social participation outcome at 24-month after burn injury.
DESIGN: A prospective cohort study based on Burn Model System National Database.
SETTING: Burn Model System centers.
PARTICIPANTS: 181 adult participants less than 2 years after burn injury (N=181).
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and injury variables were collected at discharge. Predictor variables were assessed at 6 and 12 months: Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) Depression, Anxiety, Sleep Disturbance, Fatigue, and Pain Interference short forms, and self-reported Heat Intolerance. Social participation was measured at 24 months using the Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Social Interactions and Social Activities short forms.
RESULTS: Linear and multivariable regression models were used to examine predictor variables for social participation outcomes, controlling for demographic and injury variables. For LIBRE Social Interactions, significant predictors included the PCL-C total score at 6 months (β=-0.27, P<.001) and 12 months (β=-0.39, P<.001), and PROMIS-29 Pain Interference at 6 months (β=-0.20, P<.01). For LIBRE Social Activities, significant predictors consisted of the PROMIS-29 Depression at 6 months (β=-0.37, P<.001) and 12 months (β=-0.37, P<.001), PROMIS-29 Pain Interference at 6 months (β=-0.40, P<.001) and 12 months (β=-0.37, P<.001), and Heat Intolerance at 12 months (β=-4.55, P<.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Post-traumatic stress and pain predicted social interactions outcomes, while depression, pain and heat intolerance predicted social activities outcomes in people with burn injury.