Citation

Czuba KJ, Kersten P, Anstiss D, Kayes NM, Gabbe BJ, Civil I, Kool B, Terry G, Smith GA, Rohan M, Vandal AC, Siegert RJ. N. Zeal. Med. J. 2019; 132(1494): 26-40.

Affiliation

Professor of Psychology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT, Auckland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, New Zealand Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

31048822

Abstract

AIMS: The aim of the study was to pilot the feasibility of long-term outcomes data collection from adult major trauma survivors in New Zealand. This initial paper aims to characterise the New Zealand major trauma population in terms of long-term disability and functional outcomes after major trauma.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study of adults who had survived major trauma was conducted between June 2015 and December 2016 at two major trauma centres in Auckland.

RESULTS: Of 256 trauma referrals, 112 (44%) were confirmed eligible and consented. One hundred completed the survey at six months and 83 at 12 months. A majority of the study sample were male (72%), under 65 years (84%), with a disproportionally higher number of Māori in the sample (23%). At six months post-injury, the majority of participants were categorised as experiencing either moderate disability (37%) or good recovery (42%). Half of the participants experienced moderate pain at both 6 and 12 months post-injury (50% and 52% respectively), and problems with their usual activities at six months post-injury (51%).

CONCLUSIONS: Most study participants made a good recovery, but there was still a large group of people experiencing disability, pain and not in paid employment at 12 months post-injury.

Language: en