Effect of Oral and Maxillofacial Injuries on the Development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: Pesquisa brasileira em odontopediatria e clínica integrada Vol. 21
• Main Authors: Nayak, Sunil S., Kamath, Abhay Taranath, Roy, Sreea, Nayak, Vanishri S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Associação de Apoio à Pesquisa em Saúde Bucal 01.01.2021; Association of Support to Oral Health Research (APESB)
• Subjects: DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; Maxillofacial Injuries; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Tooth Avulsion; Maxillofacial Injuries; Tooth Avulsion; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• ISSN: 1519-0501; 1983-4632; 1983-4632
• DOI: 10.1590/pboci.2021.039

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the influence of oral and maxillofacial trauma on the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to determine the efficiency of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) as a diagnostic tool for detecting PTSD in patients with Oral and Maxillofacial injuries. Material and Methods: PTSD was assessed one month postoperatively by the diagnostic instrument, IES-R, to arrive at a provisional diagnosis. A structured clinician-administered PTSD Scale then assessed the patients for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th edition (CAPS-5) to establish a final diagnosis. The assessment of the severity of PTSD was done based on various types of oral and maxillofacial injuries. Results: The IES-R scale provisionally diagnosed 54 subjects with PTSD, out of which 42 were diagnosed to have PTSD by the CAPS-5 scale. Subjects with injuries involving the ‘orbital complex,’ those presenting with a perceptible scar in the maxillofacial region and with multiple avulsed/ luxated anterior teeth, showed a higher affinity to develop PTSD, and this was statistically significant. Conclusion: Higher levels of PTSD in patients with injuries to the maxillofacial region warrants correct diagnosis and detection, and hence the maxillofacial surgeon plays a vital role in this regard. The IES-R is a useful diagnostic tool to detect PTSD early.