Predictive factors of health-related QOL in trauma patients: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the health-related QOL (HRQOL) recovery of trauma patients 12 months after injury and identify predictive factors associated with improved physical function (PF) and mental health (MH) over time. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed in our tertiary care hospital from September 2013 to September 2015. All consecutive trauma patients admitted to our department were included in the study. We collected SF-36, injury characteristics, acute care factors, and social status of each patient. Linear mixed-effects models were used to identify factors associated with MH and PF in the SF-36, 12 months after injury. Results: During the study period, complete data was collected for 129 out of 187 patients. Lower-extremity injury [AIS (abbreviated injury scale)≧3], delirium, and living with family, were predictive factors of lower PF, and a married status was associated with lower MH score. However, injury severity score (ISS) and surgical procedure were not predictive factors associated with either PF or MH. Conclusion: The median scores of PH and MH 12 months after injury were lower than Japanese standard norms. Social status, and localization of injured body region, had a stronger effect on long-term HRQOL.