Long-term physical functioning and quality of life after pelvic ring injuries

H Banierink,E Heineman,K Ten Duis,K W Wendt,F F A Ijpma,I H F Reininga

doi:10.1007/s00402-019-03170-2

Abstract

BackgroundPelvic ring injuries are serious injuries, often associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates. The long-term consequences of these injuries might affect the patients’ personal life. Our aim was to assess the long-term effects of pelvic ring injuries on physical functioning and quality of life (QoL) using validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and comparing these results to normative data from the general population.Patients and methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on adults treated for pelvic ring injuries between 2007 and 2016. Demographics, fracture type, injury mechanism, treatment and complications were recorded. PROMs questionnaires concerning physical functioning (SMFA) and quality of life (EQ-5D) were used. Patients were divided according to their age (18–30, 31–64, 65 and older) and fracture type (Tile/AO type A, B or C). Differences in SMFA and EQ-5D scores of the operatively and non-operatively treated patients and between the study population and general population were analyzed.ResultsA total of 413 patients were identified of which 279 were eligible for follow-up. One-hundred and ninety-two (69%) patients responded with a mean follow-up of 4.4 years. Patients reported a median score of 13.9 on the SMFA function index, 16.7 on the bother index, 12.5 on the lower extremity, 18.8 on the activities of daily living and 23.4 on the emotion subscale. A median EQ-5D score of 0.8 was reported. There was no difference in physical functioning and QoL between operatively and non-operatively treated patients. Comparison of these results to normative data of the general population revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in physical functioning and QoL in patients with all types of pelvic ring injuries.ConclusionLong-term physical functioning and QoL in patients who had sustained a pelvic ring injury seems fair, although significantly decreased in comparison with their peers from the general population.

Highlights

Pelvic ring injuries are serious injuries, often associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates
The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the long-term physical functioning and quality of life (QoL) of patients following pelvic ring injuries
Their level of physical functioning and quality of life were compared to the normative data of the general Dutch population

Summary

Introduction

Pelvic ring injuries are serious injuries, often associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rates. Our aim was to assess the long-term effects of pelvic ring injuries on physical functioning and quality of life (QoL) using validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and comparing these results to normative data from the general population. There was no difference in physical functioning and QoL between operatively and non-operatively treated patients Comparison of these results to normative data of the general population revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in physical functioning and QoL in patients with all types of pelvic ring injuries. Pelvic injuries do have a major impact in the short-term, and long-term permanent limitations which can affect daily functioning The latter includes gait impairment, chronic pelvic and back pain as well as delayed consequences of lumbosacral plexus injury [8], all of which may influence the patient’s quality of life [9]

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