Determinants of sleep quality in burn patients: The role of pain, psychological factors, and environmental factors.

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbances are a common and significant challenge for burn patients, often exacerbated by various factors, including pain, anxiety, and environmental conditions. Poor sleep quality can negatively affect recovery and overall well-being. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep quality and factors such as pain, itching, anxiety, and environmental stressors among burn patients.

METHOD: This correlational study was conducted from May to September 2022 and included 157 patients admitted to the burn wards of Sina Hospital, selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and itching intensity, the Burn-Specific Pain Anxiety Scale (BSPAS), the Revised Impact of Event Scale (RIES), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), along with questions assessing environmental factors affecting sleep. Multiple regression was used to identify significant predictors of sleep quality.

RESULTS

The average sleep quality score was 8.66 (SD = 3.823), indicating poor sleep quality among the burn patients. Pain intensity (p < 0.01, r = 0.45), itching intensity (p < 0.01, r = 0.38), environmental factors (p < 0.01, r = 0.33), burn-specific pain anxiety (p < 0.01, r = 0.42), impact of the traumatic event (p < 0.01, r = 0.40), anxiety (p < 0.01, r = 0.37), and depression (p < 0.01, r = 0.35) all significantly correlated with poor sleep quality. Pain intensity and stress emerged as the strongest predictors of sleep disturbance, whereas itching and burn-related anxiety were not significant in the final model.

CONCLUSION

Burn patients experience significantly poor sleep quality, largely influenced by pain and stress. Environmental factors such as noise and bed comfort further exacerbate sleep disturbances. Effective interventions focusing on pain management, environmental improvements, and psychological support are critical to improving sleep quality and overall recovery in burn patients. Future care practices should prioritize a multidisciplinary approach, integrating both physical and mental health strategies for optimal patient outcomes.