Is sexuality a problem? A follow-up of patients with severe burns 6 months to 7 years after injury.

PURPOSE AND AIMS: This is the first study investigating sexuality from 6 months up to 7 years after burn. The aim was to examine sexuality in females and males by using the BSHS-B sexuality subscale and to examine possible contributing factors with regard to sociodemographics, burn characteristics, personality traits, and previous psychiatric disorders.

METHODS

A cohort of 107 patients consecutively admitted to a Swedish national burn center was followed up at 6, 12, and 24 months after burn, and 67 individuals were followed up at 2-7 years after burn. The present study utilized the BSHS-B sexuality subscale, and multiple regression analyses were used to examine possible contributing factors.

RESULTS

Women were less satisfied than men, and sexuality mean scores improved over time, even up to 7 years after-burn, in both men and women. The strongest contributing factors for worse outcome regarding sexuality were a history of psychiatric morbidity, neuroticism and burn severity.

CONCLUSIONS

As some patients experience sexual problems after burns, even many years later, it is important to identify these individuals. The BSHS-B sexuality subscale may be used as a screening tool, but more in-depth assessment might be needed to address all aspects of sexuality.