Citation

Gibson JAG, Ackling E, Bisson JI, Dobbs TD, Whitaker IS. J. Affect. Disord. 2018; 239: 1-10.

Affiliation

Reconstructive Surgery & Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Institute of Life Science 2, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK, SA2 8PP; The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK, SA6 6NL; School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, CF14 4XN.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jad.2018.06.013

PMID

29960147

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Facial scarring can have a dramatic effect on a patient's psychological health and wellbeing and present unique management challenges. This patient population remains poorly characterised in the contemporary literature. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with affective disorders in adult patients with facial scars.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using a protocol registered with PROSPERO and in line with the PRISMA statement. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PSYCHInfo and The Cochrane Library.

RESULTS: Twenty one studies were included, with a total of 2,394 participants. Using a random effects model, the weighted pooled prevalence of anxiety was 26.1% (95% CI 17.9%-36.3%) and the weighted pooled prevalence of depression was 21.4% (95% CI 15.4%-29.0%). Studies identified female gender, past psychiatric history and violent causation as factors associated with anxiety and depression. LIMITATIONS: Included studies were limited to those published in peer reviewed journals. Longitudinal trends in both anxiety and depression were limited by a short duration of follow up.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a high and persistent burden of affective disorders in patients with facial scars. Additional research is required to further characterise this population and develop effective management strategies.

Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: en

Keywords

Anxiety; Depression; Facial scarring; Facial trauma; Prevalence