[Hannover-Polytrauma-Longterm-Study HPLS]

From the period of September 2000 to March 2006 Hannover Reinsurance and the Department of Traumatology of the Hanover Medical School conducted a retrospective observational study of the long-term outcome of patients after polytrauma. The follow-up period was on average 17 +/- 5 years. The goal of the study was to determine the social, financial, medical and psychological long-term outcome after a severe accident. Of the 1560 enrolled patients 519 patients died in the observed period, 397 patients were followed up but could not be examined, 637 patients (female n = 158, male n = 479) were examined and answered detailed questionnaires concerning their social, financial medical and psychological situation. 6 patients did not fullfil the input criteria and one patient had two polytraumata. The average age at the time of accident was 26.5 years (+/- 12.3).

Financial losses were observed in 41.1% of all males and 44.4% of females. 21.7% of all male (female 18.4%) had no financial protection at all. Due to the accident 30.1% of all men were unemployed and 19.8% permanently disabled (women 27.4% and 27.6% respectively). Psychological treatment almost doubled after discharge from rehabilitation centres. Even 20 years after the accident extra-mortality was substantially increased by 79%.

Ten to twenty years after polytrauma significant financial, social and medical impairments are still present.