The Hidden Psychological Burden of Burn Injury: Clinical Characteristics Correlation of Psychiatric Disorders in Hospitalized Burn Patients at the Burn Unit of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital.

Background

Psychiatric disorders are common but often unrecognized complications in patients with burns. This study aimed to determine the association between psychiatric disorders and demographic and clinical factors in the Burn Unit of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital (RSCM).

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study used the electronic medical records (EMR) of adult patients with burns admitted between 2023 and 2025.

Results

Of the 201 inpatients with burns, 73.1% were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, most commonly adjustment disorder (53.2%); among patients with major burns, this rose to 83.1%. Female sex (odds ratio (OR) = 0.421; p = 0.032), multiple concurrent psychosocial stressors (OR = 0.389; p = 0.012), and more than three operative procedures (OR = 0.127; p = 0.010) were independent predictors. There were no independent links between burn extent (Total Body Surface Area) and psychiatric outcomes, or between length of stay (LOS) and psychiatric outcomes. A significant proportion of inpatients with burns had psychiatric disorders.

Conclusions

The risk of psychiatric morbidity was significantly associated with female sex, multiple psychosocial stressors, and an increased operative burden, but not with burn severity. These results support regular psychiatric screening as an integral part of the comprehensive treatment of patients with burns, especially in high-risk groups.