@article{ref1,
title="Health-related quality of life after serious occupational injury in Egyptian workers: a cross-sectional study",
journal="BMJ open",
year="2012",
author="Salah Eldin, Waleed and Hirshon, Jon Mark and Smith, Gordon C. S. and Kamal, Abdel-Aziz Mohamad and Abou-El-Fetouh, Aisha and El-Setouhy, Maged",
volume="2",
number="6",
pages="000413-000413",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Occupational injuries can have severe socioeconomic consequences; however, little research has examined the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of workers following occupational injuries, especially in developing countries. This study was to employ the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) tool to measure HRQoL 6 months following serious occupational injury sustained by insured workers in the East Delta Region of Egypt. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2008 among workers injured severely enough to be off work for at least 6 months after an occupational injury. SETTING: The Nile Insurance Hospital in Qalyubia, Egypt. PARTICIPANTS: Adult workers returning for follow-up evaluation after being given 6 months off work by a physician for an occupational injury. OUTCOMES: The workers described their health and quality of life using the EQ-5D instrument. RESULTS: Most study participants were male (n=118 (90%)), with mean age of 41.5 years. Fractures were the most common type of injury (n=96 (73%)), mostly involving the lower limbs (n=70 (53%)). Participants identified persistent problems related to mobility (n=78 (60%)), self-care (n=69 (53%)), performing usual activities (n=109 (83%)), pain/discomfort (n=119 (91%)) and anxiety/depression (n=51 (40%)). The perceived HRQoL estimated by the mean (±SD) visual analogue scale (VAS) score among injured workers was 61.6±17.9. Multivariate linear regression showed an association between poor VAS score and amputations, mobility limitation, self-care problems, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. CONCLUSIONS: Some people with occupational injuries experience significant problems such as pain/discomfort, functional limitations and anxiety/depression, long after the injury. Improvement in pain management strategies and physical and psychological rehabilitation may improve their health-related quality of life.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2044-6055",
doi="10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000413",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000413"
}