Objective To observe the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), platelet 5-HT and blood platelet count, emotion and burn injury healing of patients with moderate and severe burn injury and anxiety-depression symptoms. Methods In-patients with moderate and severe burn injury were selected from 2003.4 to 2005.2 and then divided into anxiety-depression group and control group according to their anxiety-depression scores by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD ) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) 3 days after being burnt. Routine therapy was given to two groups, which lasted 1 month. Their scores of anxiety and depression and the degree of injury healing were observed, and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, platelet 5-HT and blood platelet count were measured in the two groups. Results Fifty-one in-patients with moderate and severe burn injury were divided into the anxiety-depression group (24 cases) and the control group (27 cases). After 30-day treatment, the depression scores did not decrease in the anxiety-depression group (P=0.12), but the anxiety scores decreased (P=0.00). In the anxiety-depression group, the burn injury healing time was postponed (P=0.00), the serum levels of TNF-α increased (P=0.00), and the platelet 5-HT levels decreased (P=0.04) before and after treatment. Conclusion Depressive reaction occurs in patients with moderate and severe burn injury, which is a continuously negative emotion. It can lead to high levels of serum TNF-α, reduction in platelet 5-HT, and delayed burn injury healing time. Due to the limited sample size and different location of patients, there may be some bias in this conclusion. We are prepared to increase the sample size and select patients in the same region in further relevant studies.
