[Hannover-Polytrauma-Longterm-Study HPLS].
From the period of September 2000 to March 2006 Hannover Reinsurance and the Department of Traumatology of the Hanover Medical School conducted a retrospective observational study of the long-term outcome of patients after polytrauma. The follow-up period was on average 17 +/- 5 years. The goal of the study was to determine the social, financial, medical and psychological long-term outcome after a severe accident. Of the 1560 enrolled patients 519 patients died in the observed period, 397 patients were followed up but could not be examined, 637 patients (female n = 158, male n = 479) were examined and answered detailed questionnaires concerning their social, financial medical and psychological situation. 6 patients did not fullfil the input criteria and one patient had two polytraumata. The average age at the time of accident was 26.5 years (+/- 12.3).


RESULTS
Financial losses were observed in 41.1% of all males and 44.4% of females. 21.7% of all male (female 18.4%) had no financial protection at all. Due to the accident 30.1% of all men were unemployed and 19.8% permanently disabled (women 27.4% and 27.6% respectively). Psychological treatment almost doubled after discharge from rehabilitation centres. Even 20 years after the accident extra-mortality was substantially increased by 79%.


CONCLUSIONS
Ten to twenty years after polytrauma significant financial, social and medical impairments are still present.
Sittaro
N A
NA
Aus der E + S Rückversicherung AG, Life Services.
Lohse
R
R
Panzica
M
M
Probst
C
C
Pape
H C
HC
Krettek
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007346:Insurance, Accident / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012943:Social Security / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data