Prevalence and Trend of Depression in Burn Survivors: A Single Center Cohort Study.

This article focuses on the prevalence and persistence of depression among patients hospitalized for acute burn injuries in an Indian medical center. In a prospective cohort study of 108 patients with burns covering up to 40% of total body surface area (TBSA), 38.8% exhibited depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The study found that depression prevalence was not significantly influenced by burn type but was associated with TBSA, with higher TBSA linked to increased depression rates. While patients with mild depressive symptoms at admission often showed improvement, those with severe symptoms tended to persist in their psychological distress despite counseling. The findings underscore the importance of early detection and psychiatric intervention to support the psychological adjustment of burn survivors in the Indian context.