The quality of life of earthquake victims with nonunion fracture in limbs after medical rehabilitation / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze factors contributing to the quality of life of earthquake victims with nonunion fracture in limbs after medical rehabilitation and to provide a clinical reference for future disasters.Methods Thirty-one wounded who sustained their injuries in the Sichuan earthquake completed the short form-36(SF-36)questionnaire 2 weeks before their amputation,and after 3,6 and 12 months of medical rehabilitation.The SF-36scores were compared with Sichuan population norms.Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to highlight variables which influenced their functional recovery and their physical and mental health.Results The physical and mental health composite scores of the 31 victims were significantly lower than Sichuan population norms before medical rehabilitation,but they had a significant increasing trend after 3,6 and 12 months of treatment.Their scores on all the domains remained significantly lower than Sichuan population norms at a later follow-up.Smoking,external fixations and chronic diseases were related to their recovery of physical function.Age,permanent housing,family income and casualties among family members were related to their mental health recovery.Conclusion The quality of life of patients with nonunion fracture caused by earthquake can be improved significantly through medical rehabilitation.But social factors should be considered in addition to medical rehabilitation after an earthquake.