Outcome after major trauma: 12-month follow-up

Full text

Objective

The objective of this study was to describe the functional status of surviving major trauma victims after management on an ICU.

Patients and methods

During 1998, 86 trauma victim patients with an average injury severity score (ISS) of 32, were admitted to the ICU of Red Cross Hospital in Athens. After ICU treatment, 50 patients survived and were discharged from the hospital. Follow-up 12 months later was completed for 41 patients (82%). Functional capacity was assessed using Rosser's Disability Categories (RDC) .

Results

The mean age of surviving trauma victims was 36± 16 yrs. The mean ISS was 25± 8 and the mean length of ICU stay was 11± 19 days. Nine patients fell into Rosser's Disability Category 1, 10 patients into RDC 2, seven patients into RDC 3, six patients into RDC 4, five patients into RDC 6, and four patients into RDC 7. No significant correlation was found between severity of trauma as expressed by ISS and Disability Categories.

Conclusions

32% of survivors experienced severe social disability and a modest to severe work limitation (RDC 3,4). 22% of survivors were confined to a wheelchair or bed (RDC 6,7). 12-month follow-up after major trauma clearly demonstrates a profound level of functional limitation in more than 50% of patients. The severity of trauma alone does not seem to determine the functional capacity of surviving major trauma victims.