Do the severity and the body region of injury correlate with long-term outcome in the severe traumatic patient?

Background And Objectives: To investigate if the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) are correlated with the long-term quality of life in severe trauma patients.

Methods: Patients injured from 2005 to 2007 with an ISS≥15 were surveyed 16-24 months after injury. The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ-DI) was used for measuring the functional status and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) was used for measuring the health status divided into its two components, the PCS (Physical Component Summary) and the MCS (Mental Component Summary). The results of the questionnaires were compared with the ISS and AIS components. Results of the SF-12 were compared with the values expected from the general population.

Results: Seventy-four patients filled the questionnaires (response rate 28%). The mean scores were: PCS 42.6±13.3; MCS 49.4±1.4; HAQ-DI 0.5±0.7. Correlation was observed with the HAQ-DI and the PCS (Spearman's Rho: -0.83; p<0.05) and no correlation between the HAQ-DI and the MCS neither between the MCS and PCS (Spearman's Rho=-0.21; and 0.01 respectively). The cutaneous-external and extremities-pelvic AIS punctuation were correlated with The PCS (Spearman's Rho: -0.39 and -0.34, p<0.05) and with the HAQ-DI (Spearman's Rho: 0.31 and 0.23; p<0.05). The physical condition compared with the regular population was worse except for the groups aged between 65-74 and 55-64.

Conclusions: Patients with extremities and pelvic fractures are more likely to suffer long-term disability. The severity of the external injuries influenced the long-term disability.