Long-Term Study Of Health And Quality Of Life After Burn Injury

The aim of the present study was to examine burn patient health status, quality of life and work status 16.2 (1.7) [mean (SD)] years after burn injury, and to compare the findings with similar questionnaire data from the same people obtained 11.5 years earlier. Data on burn-specific health (BSHS-N), generic health (SF-36), overall quality of life (QOLS), injury characteristics, socio-demography and work were obtained in 2001 from 95 adult burn patients. In 2013, 78 participants were still eligible, and 34 of them (age: 53.4 [9.4] [mean (SD)], total body surface burn: 17.8% [12.7%]; full thickness injury: 4.4% [5.1%]) answered a follow up study. In 2001, the burn patients reported impaired health status, but an overall quality of life comparable to the Norwegian general population. In particular, the participants were satisfied with their close relationships. At follow up 11.5 years later, the perceived burn-specific and generic health remained unchanged, whereas overall quality of life had improved significantly (QOLS score 77.2 (10.2) vs. 73.1 (12.1), p=0.003), with the largest improvements in the items related to satisfaction with helping others, work, physical active pastimes and independence. The results indicate that self-perceived functioning and wellbeing expressed by burn-specific and generic health status remain stable after the first years post injury. The improvement in overall quality of life 16.2 years post injury suggests long-term processes of growth.