Abstract
The aim was to investigate the outcomes of patients admitted with orthopaedic injuries to adult Level 1 trauma centres.
All patients admitted to the two Level 1 adult trauma centres in Victoria, Australia were registered by the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcome Registry (VOTOR). Baseline data collected included age, gender and injury cause, diagnosis and management. Patients were contacted 6 months after their trauma. Pain, disability, health related quality of life and work status were determined using visual analogues scales, global disability scales, SF12 and the work subscale of the Sickness Impact Profile. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: isolated orthopaedic injury alone, multiple orthopaedic injuries alone and orthopaedic injuries and other injuries. Non-parametric tests were used to compare outcomes across these groups.
Six month outcomes were determined in 75.6% of 1181 eligible patients. The patients lost to follow-up were more likely to be male, younger and have isolated injuries than those who were available for follow-up. Patients reported ongoing pain (moderate-severe pain 37.2%), disability (79.5%) and inability to return to work (35.2%). Poorer outcomes were evident in those who had other injuries than those with isolated or multiple orthopaedic injuries alone.
A large proportion of patients presenting to adult Level 1 trauma centres have ongoing pain and disability and a reduced capacity to work 6 months after orthopaedic injuries. Further research into the long-term outcomes of these patients is required to identify patient sub-groups and specific injuries and treatments that result in high morbidity.
The abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary Jean-Claude Theis. Correspondence should be addressed to NZOA at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand.
