ABSTRACT
There is limited information on health-related quality of life [HRQOL] of injured accident survivors. The aim of the present study was to assess acute stress, post traumatic stress disorder and health-related quality of life in injured accident survivors. Eighty-eight patients admitted to the orthopaedics and trauma surgery department of Rasht Porsina Hospital were enrolled to this descriptive study. SRSPTSD [post-traumatic stress] and SF-36 [short-form of health-related quality of life] questionnaires were completed and assessed one week and two months after the accident. Acute stress of the first week of the accident was found to be an independent predictor of post-traumatic stress of two months later. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between position of the survivor as a driver and score of post-traumatic stress disorder two months post-accident [P=0.024]. The results also showed a statistically significant improvement in physical function [P=0.005], lack of improvement in role limitations due to physical injury [P=0.02], no improvement in mental function including mental health [P=0.001], role limitations due to emotional problems [P=0.01] and vitality [P=0.001]. There is a significant relationship between PTSD and quality of life of the injured survivors. The return of injured accident survivors to pre-injury HRQOL may depend not only on optimal medical care but also on awareness and timely interventions regarding PTSS