title: The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability is not well described.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred three patients with rib fractures were followed for 6 months. Chronic pain was assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire Pain Rating Index and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) scales. Disability was defined as a decrease in work or functional status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of chronic pain was 22% and disability was 53%. Acute PPI predicted chronic pain. Associated injuries, bilateral rib fractures, injury severity score, and number of rib fractures were not predictive of chronic pain. No acute injury characteristics were predictive of disability. Among 89 patients with isolated rib fractures, the prevalence of chronic pain was 28% and of disability was 40%. No injury characteristics predicted chronic pain. Bilateral rib fractures and acute PPI predicted disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The contribution of rib fractures to chronic pain and disability is significant but unpredictable with conventional injury descriptors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Critical Care, & Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gordy
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Critical Care, & Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Loic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fabricant
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Critical Care, & Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Critical Care, & Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mullins
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Critical Care, & Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: maybejoh@sarmc.org.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mayberry
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Chronic pain; Disability; Flail chest; Rib fractures