%0 Journal Article %T Quality of life in the limelight: a study protocol of a Swedish register-based cohort study on quality of life after an injury %J BMJ open %D 2019 %A Hasselberg, Marie %A Rissanen, Ritva %V 9 %N 9 %P e031023-e031023 %X INTRODUCTION: Currently, there are very few published studies on preinjury and postinjury assessments of quality of life (QoL) based on a prospective appraisal; specifically, knowledge of those who do not seek medical care following injury is lacking. To close these knowledge gaps, this study aims to identify the psychosocial consequences in terms of loss of QoL following injury in a Swedish population and to investigate the response shift in retrospective measures of self-reported QoL.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will analyse preinjury and postinjury (including both minor and severe unintentional injuries as well as different injury mechanisms) assessments of QoL, including the phenomenon of response shift, using register-based data from the nationwide collaboration project LifeGene, which includes over 52 000 individuals living in Sweden. In addition to LifeGene data, a short online survey including a 'ThenTest' questionnaire, that is, comparison of previous QoL to current using EuroQoL five-dimensional questionnaire, was sent out to the participants of LifeGene. This study will provide a unique opportunity to study the changes in QoL by comparing preinjury and postinjury assessments using a prospective appraisal, both for populations who have sought medical care as well as those who have not due to their injury. Similarly, the study will also assess the response shift in retrospective measures of QoL. This information can guide the next generation of QoL measures and interventions for those suffering injuries and have an impact on how to interpret evaluations of interventions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been reviewed and approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Stockholm, Sweden (case number 2018/352-31). The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, print media and internet and via a report for the funding agency.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Language: en

%G en %I BMJ Publishing Group %@ 2044-6055 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031023