Evaluation of the psychology of earthquake victims referred to plastic surgery service after crush injury: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Following the 6 February 2023 earthquake, a significant number of people living in various urban areas suffered crush injuries while trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. A significant number of people affected by the earthquake, who were hospitalized for long periods and underwent various surgical interventions for significant injuries, including limb loss, were treated in the plastic surgery department. This study aimed to assess the psychological well-being of patients under our care after the earthquake.

Methods: A total of 33 patients (15 males, 18 females) with crush injuries who were referred to our clinic and agreed to undergo psychological examination were included in the study. Our team collaborated with plastic surgeons, psychologists, and allied physicians to carry out interventions, assessments, and interviews. Demographic, injury, psychological, and social support information was collected for evaluation after hospitalization.

Results: The study found that, in terms of personal factors, aggression and depression levels were significantly higher in men than in women. As for age, verbal aggression level (r = -0.405), depression level (r = -0.369), and numerous psychotic symptoms (r = -0.439) were inversely correlated with age. When social factors were investigated, verbal aggression (r = 0.376) and self-confidence (r = 0.432) were directly proportional to higher education levels. Depression and psychosis levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with lower incomes (P < 0.05). Patients who lost their next of kin were found to be statistically significantly affected by acute stress (P = 0.003). As for medical factors, several psychotic symptoms were inversely correlated with larger areas of injury (r = -0.385). Increasing numbers of debridement sessions were also found to be directly correlated with anxiety symptoms (r = 0.345).

Conclusions: The surgical team responsible for providing medical care to patients after an earthquake should be aware of the psychological state of the individuals they treat. Providing psychological and social support by the surgical team in the early stages after the earthquake, particularly for young patients, patients with low incomes, and those who have lost family members, may be considered a potentially beneficial component of multidisciplinary post-disaster care.