TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2005//
TI  - Prevalence and Determinants of Disabilities and Return to Work after Major Trauma
JO  - Journal of trauma
A1  - Vles, Wouter J.
A1  - Steyerberg, Ewout W.
A1  - Essink-Bot, Marie-Louise
A1  - van Beeck, Eduard F.
A1  - Meeuwis, Jan D.
A1  - Leenen, Luke P. H.
SP  - 126
EP  - 135
VL  - 58
IS  - 1
N2  - OBJECTIVE:: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of disabilities and return to work after severe injury in a Dutch, Level I trauma center. METHODS:: We prospectively included 295 patients with an Injury Severity Score >/= 16 treated between January 1996 and January 1999. All survivors received a mailed questionnaire in 2000, at least 1 year after their initial hospital admission. Health status was measured by the EuroQol-5D instrument, and the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Additional questions were asked about cognitive functioning and return-to-work rates. Regression analyses was conducted to explore the associations between these functional outcome measures and patient characteristics. RESULTS:: Of the 295 patients included, 99 (34%) died in hospital or during follow-up. From the 196 survivors, a response was obtained from 166 (85%). Of the survivors, 33% had to change their work or daily activity as a result of their injuries. Of the 127 patients of working age (18-65 years), 33 (26%) were unable to work and depended on social security. Problems with mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, and cognitive ability were found in 34%, 15%, 51%, 58%, 37%, and 57%, respectively. The EuroQol-5D summary score (0.76) was far below that of the general population norms. The number of body areas affected, injury severity (Injury Severity Score >/= 25), and gender (female) were significant independent predictors of worse long-term functional outcome. CONCLUSION:: Severe trauma has a substantial impact on long-term functioning. Empiric quantitative data, as presented in this study, enable us to estimate the burden of injury and to evaluate the quality of trauma care programs.
LA  - 
SN  - 0022-5282
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -