Anxiety and depression following facial and dental trauma – A prospective study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis prospective repeated measures design study was conducted to identify and analyze anxiety and depression in patients, sustaining traumatic facial and dental injuries along with other variables that may have a modifying effect on the psychological response of the patients. Methods241 patients were included in the study. 110 patients (Males - 87, Females - 23) suffered disfiguring injuries (DF). 131 patients (Males - 102, Females - 29) suffered non disfiguring injuries (NDF). Assessment was carried out using Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) on the day of discharge (D.O.D) and at 1 month and 6 month. ResultsPatients with DF injuries had statistically significant higher mean scores of HADS for anxiety and depression when compared to patients with NDF injuries. Patients treated with maxillomandibular fixation, and patients aged 18–40 years had significantly higher scores then patients aged more than 40 years. ConclusionPatients with disfiguring facial injuries (DF) had significantly higher mean HADS scores in comparison with patients suffering non disfiguring facial injuries (NDF) at all 3 interval indicating higher anxiety and depression levels.