The burn wound inflammatory response is influenced by midazolam.

Burn patients requiring hospitalization are often treated for anxiety with benzodiazepines (BDZs). Benzodiazepines are reported to influence immune system function. Immune system alterations are a major cause of burn-induced mortality.

Mice treated with a benzodiazepine had an improved survival rate following Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Psychological stress has a high incidence after burn injury, therefore, anxiolytic drugs are often prescribed. Unfortunately, to date, no burn study has investigated the effects of anxiolytic drugs on the ability to fight infection. This study was undertaken to determine if psychological stress, anxiety-modulating drugs, or both, alter survival following an infection.