What Factors Influence Functional Status After Traumatic Injury?
Zatzick D, Jurkovich GJ, Rivara FP et al
Ann Surg. 2008;248:429-437
The authors performed a multicenter study of 2707 injured patients to determine factors unrelated to the injury that affect functional status 1 year after the initial event. Overall, almost half of the patients who were initially injured had not returned to work after 12 months. Posttraumatic stress disorder (21% of patients) and depression (7% of patients) were independent predictors of functional status: patients with both disorders were 5 to 6 times less likely to be working after 12 months than patients with neither impairment.
The authors pointed out that about 2.5 million persons require post-injury acute care hospitalization each year. Posttraumatic stress and depression are major predictors of being unemployed as long as 1 year following the injury. The implication from the study is that early recognition and therapy for patients with these disorders could increase the number of persons who are successfully rehabilitated. Such a policy could reduce individual and family suffering as well as reducing the unemployment burden.
Abstract
A National US Study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Work and Functional Outcomes After Hospitalization for Traumatic Injury
Zatzick D, Jurkovich GJ, Rivara FP et al
Ann Surg. 2008;248:429-437
Summary
The authors performed a multicenter study of 2707 injured patients to determine factors unrelated to the injury that affect functional status 1 year after the initial event. Overall, almost half of the patients who were initially injured had not returned to work after 12 months. Posttraumatic stress disorder (21% of patients) and depression (7% of patients) were independent predictors of functional status: patients with both disorders were 5 to 6 times less likely to be working after 12 months than patients with neither impairment.
Viewpoint
The authors pointed out that about 2.5 million persons require post-injury acute care hospitalization each year. Posttraumatic stress and depression are major predictors of being unemployed as long as 1 year following the injury. The implication from the study is that early recognition and therapy for patients with these disorders could increase the number of persons who are successfully rehabilitated. Such a policy could reduce individual and family suffering as well as reducing the unemployment burden.
Abstract
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