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- Talk
- 22/09/2022
- UK
Incidence Of Patients At Risk Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Presenting With An Orthopaedic Injury of a Trauma Unit
Description
In this presentation, Titilope Ayaji from the University of Bristol discusses a study investigating the incidence of PTSD among patients who have suffered orthopedic injuries, particularly fractures. The session highlights the challenges faced by patients whose fractures have healed but continue to experience pain and struggle to return to everyday activities without a clear medical cause. Ayaji emphasizes the potential psychological impact of such injuries, linking the trauma of fractures to an increased risk of PTSD.
Based on NICE guidelines, the study utilized the Michigan Critical Event Perception Scale (MCEPS) to assess patients' peri trauma dissociation, utilizing a Likert scale for measurement. Results were derived from a sample of 101 patients, revealing that nearly two-thirds were male and the majority had upper limb fractures. Importantly, only 16 participants scored high enough on the MCEPS to indicate increased PTSD risk, out of which only three received timely intervention.
The study also explored the mechanisms of injury that contribute to PTSD, noting that falls from significant heights and bicycle accidents were common. The findings suggest a higher risk for females and those with lower limb injuries, which aligns with existing literature despite the limitations of the small sample size precluding robust statistical analysis.
Ayaji concludes by advocating for further research with larger sample sizes and varied PTSD screening tools to create effective pathways for early intervention, aiming to better support patients at risk of PTSD following orthopedic trauma.