Functional outcome and health status of injured patients with peripheral nerve lesions.
BACKGROUND
Peripheral nerve lesions (PNLs) can complicate the clinical course and outcome of multiply injured patients. Since this often impedes recovery, it can be a significant burden for both patients and clinicians. The objective of the present study was to investigate the long-term outcome and health status of patients with PNL.


METHODS
Multiply injured patients admitted to an intensive rehabilitation setting were identified. The Barthel and modified Rankin scales (mRS) were administered to all patients at admission, discharge and follow-up. The short form (SF)-36 questionnaire was used at follow-up (mean: 25.3+/-6.5 months).


RESULTS
Seventy-seven multiply injured patients were identified, and 45 (22 male, 23 female; mean age: 59.7+/-21.7 years; range: 19-83 years) were enrolled. Of the injured patients, 22 subjects (10 male and 12 female) had no PNL, while 23 (12 male, 11 female) did. In the PLN group, the mean Barthel scores at admission, discharge and follow-up, respectively, were 33.4+/-17.9, 85.3+/-3.8 and 93.0+/-6.9 (p<0.001) and the median mRS scores were 4 (interquartile range (IQR): 3-5), 3 (IQR: 1-3) and 1 (IQR: 0-2), respectively. In the group without PLN, the mean Barthel scores at admission, discharge and follow-up, respectively, were 30.4+/-14.5, 86.6+/-9.8 and 96.6+/-4.9 (p<0.001) and the median mRS scores were 4 (IQR: 3-5), 2 (IQR: 1-3) and 0.5 (IQR: 0-2). The mean length of hospital stay was 86.7+/-10.8 and 65.6+/-14.6 days in patients with and without PNL, respectively. The SF-36 did not show significant differences between the groups, but the patients with and without PNL reported significant lower mean scores on all items compared to national population norms.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiply injured patients with and without PNL showed significant improvement and a good long-term outcome after rehabilitation. However, those with PNL had a longer hospital stay and needed more rehabilitation than patients without PNL. Both the groups of patients experienced significant difficulties in the health status.
Intiso
Domenico
D
Department of Neuro-rehabilitation and Neurology, Scientific Institute Hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy. d.intiso@operapadrepio.it
Grimaldi
Giuseppina
G
Russo
Mario
M
Maruzzi
Giuseppe
G
Basciani
Mario
M
Fiore
Pietro
P
Zarrelli
Michele
M
Di Rienzo
Filomena
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000293:injuries*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult