OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and socio-demographic predictors of clinical depression among combat amputees of Pakistan Armed Forces presenting at a at a military rehabilitation setup
METHODS: Through convenience sampling, 63 male lower limb amputees were recruited from inpatient and outpatient clinics of Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Rawalpindi from April 2011 to May 2012. Participants responded to a questionnaire requesting brief information about socio-demographic variables and characteristics of amputation. Social support was measured by a single item stem and depression magnitude was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory- Urdu version.
RESULTS: Mean age was 29 ± 7 years. Majority 42 (66.7%) were in age group < 30 years. Most of the patients were married 61.9% (n=39) and did not have any child 61.9% (n=39). Majority had a below knee amputation due to traumatic etiology 57 (90.5%) and reported within three months post-amputation (76.2%). Mean depression score was 18 ± 10. Twelve (19%) patients had no depression, 33 (52.4%) had mild, 6 (9.5%) had moderate and 12 (19%) had severe depression. A negative correlation was found between the depression scores and social support score (r = - 0.71). The depression scores were significantly higher in amputees who were in age group < 30 years, unmarried or had no kids, in amputees with below-knee amputation due to traumatic etiology who reported within three months of amputation.
CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of depression in combat amputees of Pakistan Armed Forces. The depression scores are negatively correlated to the social support available and age and are higher in patients who are young, unmarried or have no kids, who have a traumatic etiology to their amputation and a below- knee level of lower limb amputation. The scores are also high in first three months post amputation.
Key words: Amputees, Depression, Beck Depression Inventory-Urdu version, Psychologist, Pakistan Armed Forces.
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