A study of patient-related characteristics and outcome after moderate injury.
The purpose of all injury care is to restore patients' pre-injury functioning and to facilitate the return to normal activities. The aim of this prospective study was to describe and analyse psychiatric factors and other patient-related characteristics which influence long-term results after moderate injuries. One hundred and sixty-nine injured patients were randomized to go through a comprehensive psychosocial research protocol and to participate in the 12 month follow up. The 49 patients lost to follow-up differed significantly from all other patients. They were more often single, blue-collar workers with a lower educational level and had a less favourable psychosocial background, including alcohol abuse. The 120 patients who completed the follow-up were divided in two groups: the non-recovered group (NR, N = 58), patients reporting limitations in performing their work and/or limitations in carrying out housework and/or in social life, and the recovered group (R, N = 62), patients reporting full recovery or only minor limitations in exercise or sports 12 months after the injury. The NR patients were older (P < 0.05), had a slightly higher injury Severity Score (P < 0.01) and showed signs of depression both during the acute post-injury period and at 1 year follow up (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that measurements of pain and depression during the acute post-injury period were associated with the functional outcome after 12 months. Co-operation between injury and psychiatric units should be developed to identify patients needing psychosocial or psychiatric support during the early phase of rehabilitation.
Ponzer
S
S
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stockholm Söder Hospital, Sweden.
Bergman
B
B
Brismar
B
B
Johansson
L M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010146:Pain; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012847:Single Person; D012923:Social Class; D014754:Violence; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy