Quality of life from return to work and sports activities to sexual dysfunction after surgical treatment of acetabular fractures.

Abstract

To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated for acetabular fractures in terms of Quality of Life (QoL), return to work, functional outcome, sports activities, and post-operative sexual dysfunction. The database of a level 1 trauma center was used to investigate the results of patients treated for acetabular fractures from 2010 to 2020. The minimum patient follow-up was 12months. QoL was evaluated with the SF-12 questionnaire, return to work with the Workplace Activity Limitation Survey (WALS), functional outcomes and sports activities with Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Tegner activity scores, respectively, and the sexual function damage with a 0-10 NRS. Sixty-five patients (44 men, 21 women) were enrolled, mean age at surgery of 53.4years (20-85years). The HHS and Tegner scores were 79.0 ± 19.4 and 2.6 ± 1.5, respectively, and 18.5% of patients underwent THA after 21.3 ± 28.6months. QoL evaluated with the SF-12 showed the worst results in terms of Bodily Pain and Role Physical; 35.4% of the patients who were working before the trauma lost their job, and one third was affected at sex functional level. Sex was found to influence significantly both Harris Hip Score (p < 0.05) and Tegner activity score (p < 0.05), with men reporting better scores. On the other hand, men presented a higher impact in terms of job loss and sexual dysfunction. Acetabular fractures affect patients' life as a whole, beyond the mere functional outcomes, often leading to a high rate of job loss and a significant probability of sexual functional worsening, especially for men. A significant number of patients also underwent THA at an early follow-up. Further efforts should aim at optimizing the surgical management, to improve functionality and the entire QoL sphere of patients affected by acetabular fractures.