Quality of life after multiple trauma requiring intensive care

A prospective observational study using structured interviews was used to assess changes in quality of life experienced by surviving trauma victims after management on a general intensive therapy unit in a district general hospital. Each patient's age, distribution of injuries, severity of illness on admission and duration of management were recorded. Deaths in the study group were excluded by examining the Hospital's 'Patient Administrative System'. Three attempts were then made to contact all known survivors and to assess their quality of life using three previously recognised and validated methods. Eighty-three survivors of multiple trauma were discharged but 19 were not studied. Of the remaining 64, 42 patients completed the questionnaire. After multiple trauma, patients reported significant decreases in their quality of life in relation to their overall health, happiness, ability to think and to pursue leisure activities, their income and their employment. Their mean Perceived Quality of Life Score decreased by 13% (95% confidence intervals 7.5-19.5%). Sixty-two percent of survivors experienced severe social disability and a modest or severe impairment at work. The Nottingham Health Profile identified major changes in 'psychological' aspects of quality of life, namely energy and emotional reactions.