Quality of life of individuals treated in an outpatient burn treatment centre: application of the BSHS-R.

Abstract

Burns are injuries that affect individuals' physical and emotional health and may impair their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to evaluate the QOL of individuals from an outpatient burn treatment centre in southern Brazil, according to the Burn Specific Health Scale-Revised (BSHS-R), and to determine the relationships between sociodemographic variables, burns history and the mean domains of BSHS-R. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 107 participants from July 2012 to January 2013 by administering the BSHS-R scale and a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and the participants' history of burns. Statistical analyses were performed comparing the scores obtained in the domains of the BSHS-R. Multiple linear regressions with the stepwise method were used to obtain a model that allowed the prediction of BSHS-R as a function of independent variables. A negative impact on the individuals' quality of life was revealed for the domains Simple Functional Ability, Work, Affect and Body Image and Interpersonal Relationships. Predictors of a poorer BSHS-R total score were: environment of trauma occurrence (reg. coefficient -0.39 95% CI -0.77;-0.01), gender (reg. coefficient -0.52 95% CI -0.82;-0.21), occupation (reg. coefficient -0.52 95% CI -0.86;-0.18) and place of residence (reg. coefficient -0.52 95% CI -0.83;-0.13). Sociodemographic determinants have the greatest effect on determining the QOL of individuals who have suffered burns. Therefore, actions to promote education on preventing burns in workplaces and homes are needed.