AUTHOR=Ksenchyna Kateryna , Dmytriiev Dmytro , Volanskyi Kostiantyn , Ksenchyn Oleh , Nazarchuk Oleksandr 

TITLE=Early post-trauma wound microbiota and its association with pain outcomes and mental health in combat-related extremity injuries: a prospective analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pain Research

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pain-research/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1564994

DOI=10.3389/fpain.2025.1564994

ISSN=2673-561X

ABSTRACT=IntroductionGiven that many armed conflicts are currently ongoing worldwide, a thorough study of issues related to providing medical care for the wounded is essential.Material and methodsWe included 45 participants aged 20–60 years with limb injuries in our study. The participants were surveyed using a visual analog pain scale, the PHQ-9, and the PTSD-5. We formed three groups: the first group included patients with limb amputations, the second group consisted of patients with limb trauma, and the third group involved patients with limb burns.ResultsWe found that the average pain level in Group 1 was higher, though statistical significance was not achieved (p > 0,05). According to the PHQ-9, all participants exhibited depressive symptoms of varying severity. In the trauma group, patients reported fewer PTSD symptoms. Among the amputees, a significant predominance of Gram-negative microorganisms was noted. The correlation between the slightly higher pain levels and the significant predominance of Gram-negative flora in amputee patients was negative (P > 0.05).ConclusionsIn the amputee group, there was a trend toward higher mean pain scores compared to the other groups (p > 0,05). The same presence and distribution of depressive and PTSD symptoms were observed across all groups. Correlation analysis between pain intensity and contamination with Gram-negative bacteria did not reveal a relationship between these two variables. The study requires a larger patient sample. Gram-negative pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Proteus mirabilis were found more frequently among all patients.