Holbrook et al evaluated return to preinjury quality of life (QOL) and function in adolescents who experienced traumatic injury. These can help identify patients who may benefit from more aggressive rehabilitation efforts. The authors are from the University of California San Diego and Mercy Hospital Trauma Center.
Patient selection: adolescent 12-19 years subjected to traumatic injury
Parameters:
(1) gender
(2) age
(3) Injury Severity Score (ISS)
(4) mechanism of injury
(5) perceived threat to life
(6) number of body sites injured
Parameter
Finding
Points
gender
male
0
female
1
age
12 - 15
0
16 - 19
1
Injury Severity Score
<= 16
0
>= 17
1
mechanism of injury
non-pedestrian
0
pedestrian
1
perceived threat to life
none or little
0
significant
1
number of body sites injured
1 or 2
0
>= 3
1
where:
• Several of the factors indicate more serious injury, which would require a longer recovery.
• Perception of threat raises the possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder.
total number of risk factors =
= SUM(points for all 6 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 6
• The greater the score the more likely that there will be a delay in QOL recovery.
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