Physical and psychological outcomes 8 months after serious gunshot injury.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the health status and psychological distress of gunshot injury victims 8 months after hospital discharge.


METHODS
Sixty patients admitted to a Level I trauma center for firearm-related injuries were interviewed during their hospitalization and again 8 months postdischarge. Health status was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Symptoms of posttraumatic stress (avoidance and intrusion) were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale.


RESULTS
Subjects were predominantly young (mean age, 30 years), male (92%), and African-American (95%). Mean SF-36 scores at follow-up were significantly worse than preinjury scores for all subscales (p < 0.05). Symptoms of posttraumatic stress were common; 39% of respondents reported severe intrusive thoughts and 42% reported severe avoidance behaviors. Admission Injury Severity Scores did not predict poor health status 8 months postdischarge, but intrusion symptoms were strongly associated with lower SF-36 scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Many hospitalized survivors of gunshot injuries report significant long-term declines in physical and/or mental health. Injury severity at hospital admission may not be predictive of long-term health status.
Greenspan
Arlene I
AI
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. agreens@emory.edu
Kellermann
Arthur L
AL
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*