Survey of correlation between pain and anxiety in burn patients

Anxiety is a physiological and psychological response to burn injury which can affect physical and psychological functions of patients. This study was carried out to determine the correlation between pain and anxiety in burn patients.

In this descriptive-analytical Study, which was carried out in the burn ward of Imam Reza hospital affiliated to Mashhad university of medical sciences, in Mashhad in 2004, 60 patients were hospitalized in women burn unit. Data collection tools included demographic data and self-report questionnaires concerning anxiety and pain severity and linear- visual report. The questionnaires were completed for each patient at 3 stages of the study: the first week, during the 3rd week, and the 4th week after admission. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS using spearman correlation quotient at the significant level P≤0.05.

According to the study, there was a significant statistical correlation between pain severity and level of anxiety during the first week (P0.002 and rs=0.61) during the third week (P0.002 and rs=0.43), and during the fourth week (P0.002 and rs=0.58).

Regarding the findings of the study, it is suggested that in caring and controlling pain in burn patients controlling their anxiety be particularly attended to.