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Rehabilitation Psychology, Volume 48, Issue 3 , August 2003, Pages 189-194

Health Outcomes for Burn Survivors: A 2-Year Follow-Up

Rhonda Williams, Jason Doctorc, David Pattersona, and Nicole Gibrand

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, USA, Veterans Administration of Puget Sound Health Care System—Seattle Division, USA, Department of Medical Education, University of Washington School of Medicine, USA, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA

Objective: To determine the evolution of health-related function in survivors of burn injuries.

Design: Prospective cohort.

Measure: Sickness Impact Profile (SIP).

Participants: Adults who completed the SIP 1 month (n = 237), 1 year (n = 183), and 2 years (n = 117) after burn injury.

Results: Participants reported relatively low sickness impact compared with other medical populations within 1 year of injury. Overall health improved between 1 month and 1 year postinjury, after which it stabilized. Survivors reported worse psychosocial than physical function, regardless of age, gender, burn size, or days hospitalized.

Conclusions: Most burn survivors can expect good physical recovery, even after large burn injuries.