Quality of Life of Young Adult Survivors of Pediatric Burns Using World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale II and Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief

Abstract

Objective To determine long term psychological distress and quality of life (QOL) in young adult survivors of pediatric burns using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale II (WHODAS) and the Burn Specific Health Scale- Brief (BSHS-B). Methods Fifty burn survivors 2.5–12.5 years post-burn (16–21.5 years old; 56% male, 82% Hispanic) completed the WHODAS and BSHS-B. The WHODAS measures health and disability and the BSHS-B measures psychosocial and physical difficulties. Scores were calculated for each instrument, and then grouped by years post-burn, TBSA, sex, burn age, and survey age to compare the effects of each. Next, the instruments were compared to each other. Results The WHODAS disability score mean was 14.4 ± 2.1. BSHS-B domain scores ranged from 3–3.7. In general, as Total Body Surface Area Burned (TBSA) increased, QOL decreased. Female burn survivors, survivors burned prior to school entry and adolescents who had yet to transition into adulthood reported better QOL than their counterparts. In all domains except Participation, the WHODAS consistently identified more individuals with lower QOL than the BSHS-B. Conclusions Young adult burn survivors’ QOL features more disability than their non-burned counterparts, but score in the upper 25% for QOL on the BSHS-B. This analysis revealed the need for long term psychosocial intervention for survivors with larger TBSA, males, those burned after school entry, and those transitioning into adulthood. Both instruments are useful tools for assessing burn survivors’ QOL and both should be given as they discern different individuals. However, the WHODAS is more sensitive than BSHS-B in identifying QOL issues.

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