Neuropathic Pain After Burn Injury: A Severe and Common Problem in Recovery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to address the limited understanding of neuropathic pain (NP) among burn survivors by comprehensively examining its prevalence and related factors on a national scale using the Burn Model System (BMS) National Database. BACKGROUND: NP is a common but underexplored complaint among burn survivors, greatly affecting their quality of life and functionality well beyond the initial injury. Existing data on NP and its consequences in burn survivors are limited to select single-institution studies, lacking a comprehensive national perspective. METHODS: The BMS National Database was queried to identify burn patients responding to NP-related questions at enrollment, 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, and 5 years postinjury. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to explore associations between demographic/clinical characteristics and self-reported NP at different time points. RESULTS: There were 915 patients included for analysis. At discharge, 66.5% of patients experienced NP in their burn scars. Those with NP had significantly higher Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29 (PROMIS-29) pain inference, itch, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance scores and were less able to partake in social roles. Multiple logistic regression revealed male sex, % total body surface area, and moderate-to-severe pain as predictors of NP at 6 months. At 12 months, % total body surface area and moderate-to-severe pain remained significant predictors, while ethnicity and employment status emerged as significant predictors at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the significant prevalence of NP in burn patients and its adverse impacts on their physical, psychological, and social well-being. The findings underscore the necessity of a comprehensive approach to NP treatment, addressing both physical symptoms and psychosocial factors.

Predictors at 6 and 12 Months for Social Participation Outcome at 24 Months in the Adult Burn Injury Population: A Burn Model System National Database Study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical factors (physical and psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth) that predict social participation outcome at 24-month after burn injury. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study based on Burn Model System National Database. SETTING: Burn Model System centers. PARTICIPANTS: 181 adult participants less than 2 years after burn injury (N=181). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and injury variables were collected at discharge. Predictor variables were assessed at 6 and 12 months: Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) Depression, Anxiety, Sleep Disturbance, Fatigue, and Pain Interference short forms, and self-reported Heat Intolerance. Social participation was measured at 24 months using the Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Social Interactions and Social Activities short forms. RESULTS: Linear and multivariable regression models were used to examine predictor variables for social participation outcomes, controlling for demographic and injury variables. For LIBRE Social Interactions, significant predictors included the PCL-C total score at 6 months (ß=-0.27, P<.001) and 12 months (ß=-0.39, P<.001), and PROMIS-29 Pain Interference at 6 months (ß=-0.20, P<.01). For LIBRE Social Activities, significant predictors consisted of the PROMIS-29 Depression at 6 months (ß=-0.37, P<.001) and 12 months (ß=-0.37, P<.001), PROMIS-29 Pain Interference at 6 months (ß=-0.40, P<.001) and 12 months (ß=-0.37, P<.001), and Heat Intolerance at 12 months (ß=-4.55, P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Post-traumatic stress and pain predicted social interactions outcomes, while depression, pain and heat intolerance predicted social activities outcomes in people with burn injury.

Experiences of Alaska Native people living with burn injury and opportunities for health system strengthening.

BACKGROUND: Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability for Alaska Native (AN) people. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) is supporting the development of a burn care system that includes a partnership between Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage, AK and UW Medicine Regional Burn Center at Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in Seattle, WA. We aimed to better understand the experiences of AN people with burn injuries across the care continuum to aid development of culturally appropriate care regionalization. METHODS: We performed focus groups with twelve AN people with burn injury and their caregivers. A multidisciplinary team of burn care providers, qualitative research experts, AN care coordinator, and AN cultural liaison led focus groups to elicit experiences across the burn care continuum. Transcripts were analyzed using a phenomenological approach and inductive coding to understand how AN people and families navigated the medical and community systems for burn care and areas for improvement. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: 1-Challenges with local burn care in remote communities including limited first aid, triage, pain management, and wound care, as well as long-distance transport to definitive care; 2-Divergence between cultural values and medical practices that generated mistrust in the medical system, isolation from their support systems, and recovery goals that were not aligned with their needs; 3-Difficulty accessing emotional health support and a survivor community that could empower their resilience. CONCLUSION: Participants reported modifiable barriers to culturally competent treatment for burn injuries among AN people. The findings can inform initiatives that leverage existing resources, including expansion of the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) telementoring program, promulgation of the Phoenix Society Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery (SOAR) to AK, coordination of regionalized care to reduce time away from AK and provide more comfortable community reintegration, and define rehabilitation goals in terms that align with personal goals and subsistence lifestyle skills. Long-distance transport times are non-modifiable, but better pre-hospital care could be achieved by harnessing existing telehealth services and adapting principles of prolonged field care to allow for triage, initial care, and resuscitation in remote environments.

Factors Affecting Employment After Burn Injury in the United States: A Burn Model System National Database Investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of patient and injury characteristics on employment for working-age, adult survivors of burn injury using the multicenter Burn Model System national database. DESIGN: Longitudinal survey. SETTING: Multicenter regional burn centers. PARTICIPANTS: Adult burn survivors (N=967) age≥18 years with known employment status prior to injury were included in the analysis at 12 months after injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Employment status at 12 months after injury. RESULTS: The analyses determined that those employed preinjury had higher odds of being employed (odds ratio [OR]=8.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9-13.1). White, non-Hispanic individuals were also more likely to be employed (OR=1.49; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1). Older individuals, females, those with longer hospitalizations, amputation during the acute hospitalization, and those with high pain interference at hospital discharge had lower odds of working after injury. Preinjury living situation, preinjury alcohol and drug misuse, number of acute operations and burn size (total body surface area, %) were not significant predictors of employment status at 12 months after burn injury. CONCLUSION: Preinjury employment remains the most significant predictor for postburn employment. Although past reports have focused on predictors for postburn employment, we believe that we need to seek greater understanding of modifiable risk factors for unemployment and examine issues related to work retention, performance, accommodations, and career trajectories for the working-age survivor of burn injury.

Reasons for Distress Among Burn Survivors at 6, 12, and 24 Months Postdischarge: A Burn Injury Model System Investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To identify important sources of distress among burn survivors at discharge and 6, 12, and 24 months postinjury, and to examine if the distress related to these sources changed over time. DESIGN: Exploratory. SETTING: Outpatient burn clinics in 4 sites across the country. PARTICIPANTS: Participants who met preestablished criteria for having a major burn injury (N=1009) were enrolled in this multisite study. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were given a previously developed list of 12 sources of distress among burn survivors and asked to rate on a 10-point Likert-type scale (0=no distress to 10=high distress) how much distress each of the 12 issues was causing them at the time of each follow-up. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey was administered at each time point as a measure of health-related quality of life. The Satisfaction With Appearance Scale was used to understand the relation between sources of distress and body image. Finally, whether a person returned to work was used to determine the effect of sources of distress on returning to employment. RESULTS: It was encouraging that no symptoms were worsening at 2 years. However, financial concerns and long recovery time are 2 of the highest means at all time points. Pain and sleep disturbance had the biggest effect on ability to return to work. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can be used to inform burn-specific interventions and to give survivors an understanding of the temporal trajectory for various causes of distress. In particular, it appears that interventions targeted at sleep disturbance and high pain levels can potentially effect distress over financial concerns by allowing a person to return to work more quickly.

Burn Nursing.

Burn nurses care for patients throughout the recovery continuum.

Long Term Physical and Mental Health Outcomes of Older Adults Following a Major Burn Injury: A Burn Model System Investigation.

Older adults are at a higher risk of complications after burn injuries since many physical and mental changes are compounded by increasing age. Few studies have targeted the long-term effects of burns on older adults. Therefore, this study will investigate the long-term physical and mental health outcomes in older adults. 3129 participants from the Burn Model System Database were divided into 3 cohorts based on their age at injury (18-54, 55-64, and 65+). Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were derived from the 12-item Short Form (SF-12) and the Veterans RAND 12-item (VR-12) health surveys and analyzed to measure recovery at preinjury, discharge, 2-year follow-up, and 5-year follow-up. ANOVA, T-score analysis, and linear mixed-effects models were utilized to assess for significant differences in outcome scores. PCS scores were significantly different between the 18-54 cohort and 65+ cohorts at the preinjury and 2-year time intervals (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), but not at the 5-year follow up (P=0.28). MCS scores were significantly different between the 18-54 cohort and 65+ cohorts at all time intervals measured (p=0.001, p<0.001, P<0.001, and p=0.005 respectively), though the change in MCS scores over time were not significantly different between age cohorts across time (p=0.088). This supports that patients 65 years and older have a different physical function recovery trajectory when compared to patients under 64 years. These findings underscore the belief that for physical recovery after a burn injury, individualized physical rehabilitation plans will provide the most benefit for patients across all ages.

Physical and psychosocial outcomes among burn-injured people with heterotopic ossification: A burn model system study.

INTRODUCTION: Heterotopic ossification (HO), or ectopic bone formation in soft tissue, is a not so rare and poorly understood debilitating sequela of burn injury. Individuals developing HO following burn injuries to their hands often experience reductions in mobility, significant contractures, and joint pain. This study identifies demographic characteristics of individuals who develop HO and compares their physical and psychosocial outcomes to the general burn population. METHODS: Participant demographics, injury characteristics, and PROMIS-29 scores across three time points (discharge, six- and 12- months after injury) were extracted from the Burn Model System National Longitudinal Database representing participants from 2015-2022. Mixed-effects linear regression models were used to compare PROMIS scores across all three longitudinal measurements. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, HO status, and burn size. RESULTS: Of the 861 participants with data concerning HO, 33 were diagnosed with HO (3.8% of participants). Most participants with HO were male (n = 24, 73%) and had an average age of 40 + /- 13 years. Participants with HO had significantly larger burn size (49 +/-23% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)) than those without HO (16 +/-17%). Participants with HO reported significantly worse physical function, depression, pain interference and social integration scores than those without HO. After adjusting for covariables, participants with HO continued to report statistically significantly worse physical function than those without HO. Although physical functioning was consistently lower, the two populations did not differ significantly among psychosocial outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: While HO can result in physical limitations, the translation to psychosocial impairments was not evident. Targeted treatment of HO with the goal of maximizing physical function should be a focus of their rehabilitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b TYPE OF STUDY: Symptom Prevalence Study.

The Impact of Body Image on Physical Function and Return to Work After Burn: A Burn Model System Study.

Burn injury can have a lasting impact on quality of life beyond the initial injury. The aim of this study was to examine the recovery process through analyzing the relationship between body image, physical function, and return to work. This study uses data from the Burn Model System (BMS) National Longitudinal Database and includes 1,001 participants injured between 2015 and 2023 who were measured using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) Physical Function, Employment Status, and the Body Image subscale. Associations were explored using multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. Physical function was positively associated with body image and negatively associated with burn size, age, and amputation. Employment was positively correlated with body image and employment at injury, while negatively correlated with age. Other variables including burn etiology, burn center site, race, and ethnicity were significant at different time points. By understanding how these factors change and are associated with outcomes across recovery, the healthcare team can make more tailored efforts to improve the psychosocial and physical well-being of burn survivors.

Pediatric Patients with Post-Burn Amputations Report Worse Long-Term Physical Function but Not Self-Appearance: A Burn Model System Study.

Some severe burn injuries may warrant amputation; however, the physical and functional adjustments resulting from post-burn amputation can have long-term consequences. This study investigates longitudinal functional and psychosocial outcomes among pediatric burn amputees. Pediatric participants enrolled in the Burn Model System national longitudinal, multicenter database between 2015-2023 with post-burn amputations were included. Participants with amputations were matched using nearest-neighbor matching to those without amputations based on burn location, age, and % total burn surface area burn size. Primary outcomes were the PROMIS Pediatric-25 Profile v2.0 Physical Function and the Children Burn Outcomes Questionnaire: appearance sub-score, both measured at 6-, 12- and 24 months post-burn. In this study, 17 participants had amputations and 17 did not (matched participants). Pairwise analyses at each timepoint found those with amputations reported significantly lower physical function scores at 24 months post-burn (54.9 ±11.6 vs. 66 ±5, p=0.013). No significant differences were found in appearance scores. This study suggests that pediatric burn amputees may potentially face greater physical impairment long-term, highlighting an important area of research that deserves further attention.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Home-Based Virtual Rehabilitation to Improve Adherence to Prescribed Home Therapy after Burn Injury: A Northwest Regional Burn Model System Trial.

Daily rehabilitation after burn injury is vital for prevention of function-limiting contractures. However, adherence to prescribed therapy following acute burn hospitalization has historically been low and not well-studied. Studies involving virtual reality technology have demonstrated an association with improved functional outcomes in burn therapy. We conducted a five-year randomized controlled trial comparing 12 weeks of a home-based virtual rehabilitation (HBVR) system with standard burn therapy. Our primary outcome was adherence to prescribed home therapy, measured by e-diary self-report. Secondary outcomes included steps walked daily and patient-reported outcomes regarding stiffness, upper extremity function, and mobility. We enrolled 50 subjects, of which 48 provided data for analysis (23 HBVR, 25 control). Overall adherence to prescribed home therapy was low, 37.2% in the HBVR group and 60.0% in the control group. Reasons for non-adherence in the HBVR group included lack of time, engagement, and replacement of therapy with other physical activity. However, some subjects enjoyed HBVR and believed it aided their recovery. There was no difference in daily steps walked between the two groups. Daily walking gradually improved from 3,500 steps per day in the first week after baseline and plateaued at 6,000 steps per day at week five. There were no differences in stiffness, upper extremity function, and mobility between the two groups at baseline and 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Subjects demonstrated improved upper extremity function and mobility in the first year after discharge that coincided with increasing stiffness.

Engaging Burn Survivors, Their Families, and the Burn Community in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research: A Burn Survivor- and Burn Community Stakeholder-Generated and Prioritized Research Agenda.

Burn survivors are involved in burn research, but typically in the role of research subject. We believe that the outcomes and impact of burn research can be improved by engaging survivors as collaborators in the planning, implementation, and dissemination of burn research. The goal of this work was to produce the first burn research agenda generated and prioritized by burn survivors and other stakeholders from the burn community. A series of structured focus groups covering five topics (Patient and Family Education, Aftercare, Navigating the Healthcare System, Recovery: Physical and Psychosocial, and Barriers to Research) were held with burn survivors and their family members. Specific research questions/topics were identified from the transcripts and prioritized via an anonymous survey of burn survivors, their caregivers, and other stakeholders from the burn community. From these sessions, 37 specific research questions/topics were identified and ranked. In addition, 19 research barriers were identified and ranked. This work presents an innovative approach to burn research through co-production with survivors and other stakeholders. Burn survivors and their caregivers are experts in their lived experiences. By involving them in burn research as collaborators and contributors from the very first steps of research and throughout the continuum of the research planning, conducting projects, and distributing findings, we believe that the research will be both more successful and more impactful. We have taken the first steps in burn research co-production with this novel stakeholder-generated research agenda for the burn community.

Defining numerical cut points for mild, moderate, and severe pain in adult burn survivors: A northwest regional burn model system investigation.

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a common and often debilitating sequela of burn injury. Burn pain develops following damage to peripheral sensory nerves and the release of inflammatory mediators from injury. Burn pain is complex and can include background and procedural pain that result from the injury itself, wound care, stretching, and surgery. Clinicians and researchers need valid and reliable pain measures to guide screening, treatment, and research protocols. Unlike other conditions, visual analog, or numeric pain rating scale (VAS/NRS) scores that represent mild, moderate, and severe pain among people with burn injury have not been established. The aim of this study was to identify the most suitable average pain intensity rating scores for mild, moderate, and severe pain in adult burn survivors using a PROMIS Pain Interference (PROMIS-PI) short form. METHODS: An average pain intensity VAS/NRS score (0-10) and customized PROMIS-PI short form were administered to adults with burn injury treated at a regional burn center at hospital discharge (baseline) and at 6, 12, and 24-months after injury. To identify pain intensity scores that represent mild, moderate, and severe pain, we computed F values and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) statistics associated with multiple ANOVA comparisons for mean pain interference scores by various pain intensity cut points. Six possible cut points (CP) were compared: CP 3,6; 3,7; 4,6; 4,7; 2,5; and 3,5. Optimal cut points were considered those with the highest ANOVA F statistics. Models with similar F statistics were also compared with BIC. RESULTS: Data from a sample of 253 participants (83% white, 66% male, mean age 47 years) with VAS/NRS pain intensity and PROMIS-PI scores at one or more timepoints were analyzed. The optimal classification for mild, moderate, and severe pain was CP 2,5 at baseline and 12-months. Although CP 3,6 had the highest F value at 6-months, there was not strong evidence to support CP 3,6 over CP 2,5 (BIC difference: 2.9); similarly, CP 3,7 had the highest value at 24-months, but the BIC difference over CP 2,5 was only 2.2. CONCLUSIONS: VAS/NRS scores for pain among adults with burn injury can be categorized as mild (0-2), moderate (3-5), and severe (6-10). These findings advance our understanding regarding the meaning of pain intensity ratings after burn injury, and provide an objective definition for clinical management, quality improvement, and pain research.

Specialty Certification for Burn Nursing: Value, Beliefs, and Benefits.

Specialty certification for burn nursing will be available in 2023. This review outlines the path taken from specialty recognition by the American Nurses Association to the Certified Burn Registered Nurse certification. Clinical expertise, knowledge, skill, mastery of professional issues, and competence are hallmark features of a nurse specialty certification. A review of resources will illustrate the evolution of burn nursing practice with the development of burn nursing standards, competencies, and characteristics of the professional burn nurse. Resources are identified which outline the value of specialty certification, providing an overview for the impact of burn nursing certification on professional development, nurse satisfaction, and patient outcomes. Burn nurses play a key role in the care and recovery of the burn-injured patient. Since 2017, members of the burn nurse community have taken steps to confirm the role of the modern burn nurse and document standards. As a community, we are now poised to advance our specialty one step further and support the development of a national burn nurse certification examination. This paper provides a historical account of the path taken for burn nurse specialty recognition and national certification to date. The value and impact of specialty certification in general is outlined, thus providing a comprehensive overview for the value and impact of certification on professional development, nurse satisfaction, and patient outcomes.

Higher Out-of-pocket Expenses are Associated with Worse Health-related Quality of Life in Burn Survivors: A Northwest Regional Burn Model System Investigation.

The care required to recover serious burn injuries is costly. In the United States, these costs are often borne by patients. Examining the relationship between out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and health-related quality of life (HRQL) is important to support burn survivors. Financial data from a regional burn center were merged with data in the Burn Model System (BMS) National Database. HRQL outcomes included VA-Rand 12 (VR-12) physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Participant surveys were conducted at 6-, 12-, and 24-months post-injury. VR-12 scores were evaluated using generalized linear models and adjusted for potential confounders (age, sex, insurance/payer, self-identified race/ethnicity, measures of burn injury severity). 644 participants were included, of which 13% (84) had OOP costs. The percentage of participants with OOP costs was 34% for commercial/private, 22% for Medicare, 8% for other, 4% for self-pay, and 0% for workers' compensation and Medicaid. For participants with OOP expenses, median payments were $875 with an IQR of $368-1728. In addition to markers of burn injury severity, OOP costs were negatively associated with PCS scores at 6-months (coefficient -0.002, P < .001) and 12-months post-injury (coefficient -0.001, P = .004). There were no significant associations with PCS scores at 24 months post-injury or MCS scores at any interval. Participants with commercial/private or Medicare payer had higher financial liability than other payers. Higher OOP expenses were negatively associated with physical HRQL for at least 12 months after injury. Financial toxicity occurs after burn injury and providers should target resources accordingly.

Impacts of Financial Assistance on Quality of Life Among People Living With Burn Injury: Matched Cohort Analysis of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System Database.

Disparities in socioeconomic status and minority status affect the risk of burn injury and the severity of that injury, thus affecting the subsequent cost of care. We aimed to characterize the demographic details surrounding receipt of financial assistance due to burn injury and its relationship with health-related quality of life scores. Participants ≥18 from Burn Model System National Longitudinal Database (BMS) with complete demographic data were included (n = 4330). Nonresponders to financial assistance questions were analyzed separately. The remaining sample (n = 1255) was divided into participants who received financial assistance because of burn injury, those who received no financial assistance, and those who received financial assistance before injury and as a result of injury. A demographic and injury-characteristic comparison was conducted. Health-related quality of life metrics (Satisfaction with Life, Short Form-12/Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey, Community Integration Questionnaire Social Component, and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory) were analyzed preinjury, then 6-months, 1-year, and 2-years postinjury. A matched cohort analysis compared these scores. When compared to their no financial assistance counterparts, participants receiving financial assistance due to burns were more likely to be minorities (19% vs 14%), have more severe injuries (%TBSA burn 21% vs 10%), and receive workers' compensation (24% vs 9%). They also had lower health-related quality of life scores on all metrics except the post-traumatic growth inventory. Financial assistance may aid in combating disparities in posttraumatic growth scores for participants at the greatest risk of financial toxicity but does not improve other health-related quality of life metrics.

Self-reported health measures in burn survivors undergoing burn surgery following acute hospitalization: A burn model system national database investigation.

INTRODUCTION: Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) surveys such as PROMIS-29 may facilitate shared decision-making regarding surgery after burn injury. We aimed to examine whether scar revision and contracture release surgery after index hospitalization was associated with differences in HRQoL. METHODS: Patient and PROMIS-29 Profile v2.0 data were extracted from the Burn Model System (BMS) at 6-, 12-, and 24-months after burn. PROMIS-29 measures 7 health-related domains. Linear regression was performed to identify associations between independent burn patient variables (e.g. scar-related surgery) and PROMIS-29 scores. Socio-demographic and injury variables were analyzed using logistic regression to determine the likelihood of undergoing burn-related surgery. RESULTS: Of 727 participants, 201 (27.6%) underwent ≥ 1 scar/contracture operation within 24 months of injury. Number of operations at index hospital admission and range of motion (ROM) deficit at discharge were correlated with an increased likelihood of undergoing subsequent scar/contracture surgery (p < 0.05). Participants undergoing scar/contracture surgery and those that were Medicaid insured reported significantly worse HRQoL for PROMIS domains: anxiety, depression, and fatigue (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for burn severity and available confounders, participants who underwent scar-related burn reconstructive surgery after index hospitalization reported overall worse Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in multiple domains.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters as Predictors of Pain Interference in Burn Survivors: A Burn Model System National Database Study.

Individuals who experience burns are at higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. A synergistic relationship exists between posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. We sought to evaluate the role of individual posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters as predictors of pain interference. We hypothesized that the hyperarousal and emotional numbing symptom clusters would be predictive of pain interference, even when accounting for the other two posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters, pain intensity, and other covariates. Multivariate linear regression analyses were completed using data from the Burn Model System National Database. A total of 439 adult participants had complete responses on self-report measures assessing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, pain intensity, and pain interference at 6-month after discharge and were included in analyses. Results indicate hyperarousal (B = .10, p = .03) and emotional numbing (B = .13, p = .01) posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters were each significantly associated with pain interference, even when accounting for pain intensity (B = .64, p < .001). Results highlight the importance of the emotional numbing and hyperarousal posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters in explaining pain interference. Findings suggest that when posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms or chronic pain are present, screening for and treating either condition may be warranted to reduce pain interference. Further, psychological interventions that target emotional numbing and hyperarousal posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms may be fruitful for promoting better coping with chronic pain and reducing pain interference.

Trajectories of physical health-related quality of life among adults living with burn injuries: A burn model system national database investigation to improve early intervention and rehabilitation service delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding trajectories of recovery in key domains can be used to guide patients, families, and caregivers. The purpose of this study was to describe common trajectories of physical health over time and to examine predictors of these trajectories. METHOD: Adults with burn injuries completed self-reported assessments of their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as measured by the SF-12® Physical Component Summary (PCS) score at distinct time points (preinjury via recall, index hospital discharge, and at 6-, 12-, and 24 months after injury). Growth mixture modeling (GMM) was used to model PCS scores over time. Covariables included burn size, participant characteristics, and scores from the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ)/Social Integration portion, Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Satisfaction With Appearance Scale (SWAP). RESULTS: Data from 939 participants were used for complete-case analysis. Participants were 72% male, 64% non-Hispanic White, with an average age of 44 years and an average burn size of 20% of total body surface area (TBSA). The best fitting model suggested three distinct trajectories (Class 1 through 3) for HRQOL. We titled each Class according to the characteristics of their trajectory. Class 1 (recovering; n = 632), Class 2 (static; n = 77), and Class 3 (weakened; n = 205) reported near average HRQOL preinjury, then reported lower scores at discharge, with Class 1 subsequently improving to preinjury levels and Class 3 improving but not reaching their preinjury quality of life. Class 3 experienced the largest decrease in HRQOL. Class 2 reported the lowest preinjury HRQOL and remained low for the next 2 years, showing minimal change in their HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the importance of early universal screening and sustained intervention for those most at risk for low HRQOL following injury. For Class 2 (static), lower than average HRQOL before their injury is a warning. For Class 3 (weakened), if the scores at 6 months show a large decline, then the person is at risk for not regaining their HRQOL by 24 months and thus needs all available interventions to optimize their outcomes. Results of this study provide guidance for how to identify people with burn injury who would benefit from more intensive rehabilitation to help them achieve or regain better HRQOL. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).