[Systematic review of measurement instruments and concepts used for functioning outcome in multiple trauma]

Multiple trauma and injuries are the main causes for mortality and long term disability in the younger population under 50 years old. Monitoring patient-relevant long term consequences after an acute event is therefore of high importance. However, there is no systematic overview on the assessment instruments and their concepts used to monitor long term outcome of multiple trauma. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a framework to standardize and compare assessment instruments. We conducted a systematic search of the electronic databases Medline and Embase covering the years 2000 to 2006 and data on utilized instruments were extracted from the retrieved studies. The corresponding concepts were identified and coded using the ICF. A total of 117 studies with 112 instruments were included and 1,032 different concepts were extracted of which 93% could be coded. This review confirms the heterogeneity and complexity of the problems encountered after multiple trauma. A homogeneous concept for assessment of long term outcome is warranted.