TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2005//
TI  - Prospective study of patients with injuries to the hand and forearm: Costs, function, and general health
JO  - Scandinavian journal of plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery
A1  - Rosberg, Hans-Eric
A1  - Carlsson, Katarina Steen
A1  - Dahlin, Lars B.
SP  - 360
EP  - 369
VL  - 39
IS  - 6
N2  - Patients with injured hands and forearms of varying severity [Hand Injury Severity Score (HISS)] were studied prospectively, including analysis of costs, hand/arm function (DASH), and health status (SF-36). Costs, duration of sick-leave, DASH-score (high score; impaired function) increased by severity of injury (higher HISS) and the greatest proportion of total costs resulted from lost production. Most employed patients returned to work within a year, but even minor injuries were expensive. HISS and costs of care during an emergency were significantly associated with duration of sick-leave, although HISS did not fully explain variation in costs and duration of sick-leave. DASH-score at one year was associated with variation in age, HISS, and residual health care costs. Results of DASH and subgroups for physical and bodily pain on SF-36 were consistent. Injuries to hand and forearm may generate high costs for society in terms of health care and long periods of sick-leave (lost production), but even minor injuries should be accounted for.
LA  - 
SN  - 0284-4311
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02844310500340046
ID  - ref1
ER  -