Evaluation of anxiety, depression, and quality of life in severely burned patients

Background: Burn injuries are complex medical emergencies that go beyond physical trauma to include significant psychological effects. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors linked to anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in severely burned patients treated at the Burn Unit of the Military Hospital Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco.

Methods: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to August 2025 with 80 adult patients who had major burns (>20% of total body surface area). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the WHOQOL-BREF were administered along with a sociodemographic and clinical survey. Statistical analysis was performed using JAMOVI software. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained from all participants.

Results: The average age was 36 years (range 17–65), with a male majority (70%). Most patients were married (81%), of middle socioeconomic status (66%), and residing in urban areas (72%). Anxiety was found in 43% of cases, and depressive symptoms in 43.2%. According to PHQ-9, 56.8% had minimal depression, 30.9% mild, and 12.3% moderate to severe. Quality of life was notably reduced in the physical (58%), social (33%), and psychological (25%) domains. Depression showed significant correlations with marital status (p=0.021), socioeconomic level (p=0.007), and ICU stay (p=0.014), while anxiety was associated with low income (p=0.034) and urban residence (p=0.004).

Conclusion: Psychological distress after burn trauma is highly common and strongly linked to decreased quality of life. Routine psychiatric screening and psychological support are crucial parts of burn care, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs.