Prevalence and prognostic factors of disability after major trauma.
BACKGROUND
The primary aim of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life of survivors of severe trauma 1 year after injury, specified according to all the separate dimensions of the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and the Health Utilities Index (HUI).


METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted in which all severely injured trauma patients presented at a Level I trauma center were included. After 12 months, the EQ-5D, HUI2 and HUI3 were used to analyze the health status.


RESULTS
Follow-up assessments were obtained from 246 patients (response rate, 68%). The overall population EQ-5D (median) utility score was 0.73 (EQ-5D Dutch general population norm, 0.88). HUI2, HUI3, and EQ-5D Visual Analog Scale scores were 0.81, 0.65, and 70, respectively. Eighteen percent had at least one functional limitation 1 year after trauma, and 60% reported functional limitations on two or more domains using the EQ-5D. The female gender and comorbidity were significant independent predictors of disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional outcome and quality of life of survivors of severe injury have not returned to normal 1 year after trauma. The prevalence of specific limitations in this population is very high (40-70%). Female gender and comorbidity are predictors of long-term disability.
Department of Surgery-Traumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.ringburg@erasmusmc.nl
Akkie N
AN
Ringburg
Suzanne
S
Polinder
Marie Catherine P
MC
van Ierland
Ewout W
EW
Steyerberg
Esther M M
EM
van Lieshout
Peter
P
Patka
Ed F
EF
van Beeck
Inger B
IB
Schipper
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D055815:Young Adult