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Conservative treatment of redisplaced Colles' fractures in elderly patients older than 60 years old - anatomical and functional outcome.

A retrospective study was carried out to compare the functional outcome in two groups of patients who were 60 years old or older. One group had Colles' fractures, which had been reduced and did not redisplace. The other group's fractures redisplaced and were treated conservatively. Of the 11 patients in the first group, 82% had excellent or good functional outcome, which was not significantly different when compared with the second group of 25 patients with 68% having excellent or good functional outcome.

Age Factors↗

Functional outcome of patients following open reduction internal fixation for bilateral calcaneus fractures.

Treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures has historically been controversial, but recent developments have led to resurgence in open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for displaced calcaneus fractures. Recent functional outcome studies comparing operative to nonoperative treatment of unilateral calcaneus fractures has shown a trend towards improved function with ORIF. No studies have investigated the functional outcome of patients who have required operative treatment of bilateral displaced calcaneus fractures. The purpose of this study was to review our operative experience with bilateral displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. A retrospective review of medical charts indicated 13 patients had undergone ORIF for bilateral calcaneus fractures. Nine patients could be contacted and brought to the clinic for functional evaluation and radiographic CT studies. Functional outcome was assessed by the Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment Score (MFA) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Hindfoot Score (AOFAS). The average follow-up was 56 months. Over half of the patients required additional surgeries. The average MFA and AOFAS scores were 31.1 and 71.8, respectively. Functional outcome decreased for patients with multiple traumatic fractures and surgical procedures of the calcaneus. Our results show a diminished functional outcome for patients sustaining bilateral calcaneus fractures treated with ORIF when compared to patients managed surgically for unilateral calcaneus fractures, but better functional outcomes than patients who do not undergo ORIF for unilateral calcaneus fractures. This diminished function limits work capacity and ability to perform daily activities that require standing.

Adult↗

Blood pressure management after endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: association with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and functional outcome at 3 months.

BACKGROUND: No clear consensus exists on ideal systolic blood pressure (SBP) targets after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) following an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study investigated the association between SBP parameters within the first 24 h after EVT and 3-month functional outcomes and the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). METHODS: We retrospectively collected and prospectively followed clinical, and radiological data for patients undergoing EVT for AIS from 2016 to 2024, including 2-hourly BP measurements during the first 24 h and SBP variability assessed by standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV). Outcomes included 3-month functional status and sICH, and their associations with post-EVT BP metrics were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 268 post EVT patients were included with a median age of 61 years (IQR, 51-69). Mean SBP was 129.67 ± 17.17 mm Hg, with SBP variability (SD 12.6 ± 5.4 mm Hg; CV 9.6 ± 3.8 %), while good functional outcome and sICH occurred in 39.7 % and 4.9 % of patients, respectively. Multivariate regression showed that higher admission NIHSS (>15) [0.90 (95 %CI, [0.86, 0.95], p = 0.000)], recanalization status [1.88 (95 %CI, [1.43, 2.48], p = 0.00)], and SBP-CV ≥ 10 [0.44 (95 %CI, [0.2, 0.94], p = 0.036)] was independently associated with poor 3-month functional outcome, while higher admission NIHSS (>15) [0.87 (95 %CI, [0.77,0.98], p = 0.02)] and diabetes [0.12 (95 %CI, [0.03, 0.54], p = 0.006)] predicted increased risk of sICH. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that reduced BP variability during the first 24 h post-EVT was associated with better 3-month functional outcomes. A clear association between SBP and sICH risk was not demonstrated.

Humans↗

Physical, mental, and social predictors of functional outcome in unilateral lower-limb amputees.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of physical, mental, and social characteristics as predictors of functional outcome of elderly amputees. DESIGN: Prospective, inception cohort study; comparisons with reference populations. SETTING: Main hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, patients' own residence settings in 1 of the 3 northern provinces in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six patients older than 60 years, with unilateral transtibial or transfemoral amputation or knee disarticulation because of vascular disease. INTERVENTIONS: Measurement of physical, mental, and social predictors 2 and 6 weeks postamputation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP-68), Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS), Timed up and go (TUG) test, and prosthetic use. RESULTS: A total of 15% of amputees died within the first year after amputation. Seventy percent lived independently at home 1 year postamputation. The functional level of the patients was low, as shown by high scores on the SIP-68 (mean, 23.6), GARS (mean, 41.2), and TUG test (mean, 23.9s). Functionally effective prosthetic use, as measured with the classification of Narang and Pohjolainen, was reached by 49%. For the SIP-68 scores, age, comorbidity, 1-leg balance, and the 15-word test predicted functional outcome in 69% of amputees. For the GARS score, age, 1-leg balance, and the 15-word test predicted functional outcome in 64%. For the TUG test, age and 1-leg balance predicted functional outcome in 42% of amputees. After correction for age, the only significant predictor for prosthetic use was 1-leg balance. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with a leg amputation had a low functional level 1-year postamputation. An important part of functional outcome could be predicted 2 weeks after amputation by age at amputation, 1-leg balance on the unaffected limb, and cognitive impairment. Severe comorbidity probably also played a role. The results may be used in the general policy concerning leg amputees.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Functional outcome after acute compartment syndrome of the thigh.

BACKGROUND: Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh is an uncommon condition that is associated with a high rate of morbidity. Because of its rarity, limited information is available on the long-term functional outcome for patients with this condition and the factors that affect the clinical result. METHODS: Eighteen patients with acute compartment syndrome of the thigh were evaluated at an average of sixty-two months after treatment. Functional outcome was evaluated by means of physical examination, isokinetic thigh-muscle testing, and validated functional outcome scores. RESULTS: Long-term functional deficits were present in eight patients, and only five patients had full recovery of thigh-muscle strength. The persistent dysfunction was reflected in worse overall functional outcome scores. High injury severity scores, ipsilateral femoral fracture, prolonged intervals to decompression, the presence of myonecrosis at the time of fasciotomy, and an age of more than thirty years were associated with increased long-term functional deficits, persistent thigh-muscle weakness, and worse functional outcome scores. CONCLUSIONS: Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh is often associated with considerable long-term morbidity. Several factors can affect the functional outcome, and knowledge of these factors can help in the development of a more effective clinical management strategy to reduce long-term morbidity.

Acute Disease↗

Effect of prior statin use on functional outcome and delayed vasospasm after acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a matched controlled cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), which exhibit beneficial cerebrovascular effects by modulating inflammation and nitric oxide production, have not been evaluated in acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. The effect of prior statin use on 14-day functional outcome and on prevention of vasospasm-induced delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) or stroke during hospitalization was analyzed. METHODS: We conducted a 1:2 matched (age, admission Hunt and Hess grade, vascular disease/risk history) cohort study of 20 SAH patients on statins and 40 SAH controls. The primary outcome was functional outcome at 14 days (Modified Lawton Physical Self-Maintenance Scale and Barthel Index scale scores). Secondary outcomes were 14-day mortality, Modified Rankin Scale score, DCI, DCI supported by angiography/transcranial Doppler [TCD], cerebral infarctions of any type, and TCD highest mean velocity elevation. RESULTS: Statin users demonstrated a significant protective effect on 14-day Barthel Index scale and Modified Lawton Physical Self-Maintenance Scale scores (77 +/- 10 versus 39 +/- 8, P = 0.003; 12 +/- 7 versus 19 +/- 9, P = 0.03, respectively). Moreover, statin users demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of DCI and DCI supported by angiography/TCD (10% versus 43%, P = 0.02; 5% versus 35%, P = 0.01, respectively), cerebral infarctions of any type (25% versus 63%, P = 0.01), and baseline-to-final TCD highest mean velocity change of 50 cm/s or greater (18% versus 51%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: SAH statin users demonstrated significant improvement in 14-day functional outcome, a significantly lower incidence of DCI and cerebral infarctions of any type, as well as prevention of TCD highest mean velocity elevation. However, we did not find a significant statin impact on mortality or global outcome (Modified Rankin Scale) in this small sample. This study provides clinical evidence for the potential therapeutic benefit of statins after acute SAH.

Adult↗

Negative symptoms and specific cognitive impairments as combined targets for improved functional outcome within cognitive remediation therapy.

Negative symptoms and poor cognition are both associated with poor functional outcome in schizophrenia. This poor functional outcome has been attributed to poor cognition rather than any independent contribution from symptoms. Identifying target cognitive processes and mechanisms that predict community function, and possible moderator effects of negative symptoms, will allow the development of cognitive remediation programs that are successful in improving functional outcome. A referred sample of 53 in- and outpatients with schizophrenia with general cognitive impairment (including 28 with severe negative symptoms) and 22 healthy controls, balanced for premorbid IQ, were compared cross sectionally on measures of community shopping skills, executive function, and working memory. Across the groups, there were direct relationships between community functioning and specific executive functions, and there were interactions between group membership and the types of associations found. Working memory was independently associated with accurate community functioning only in people with schizophrenia and negative symptoms. This association was not due to the sole presence of working memory impairment or just to negative symptoms. Poor community function is predicted both by specific cognitive impairments that are prominent in people with negative symptoms and through the moderating effect of negative symptoms on the working memory-community function relationship. This may reflect a synergistic association between symptoms and cognition: negative symptoms arise from cognitive impairment but also impact detrimentally on working memory functioning. Both cognitive processes and negative symptoms should be targeted in cognitive remediation to effect the greatest change in community functions.

Adult↗

Carcinoma of the tongue base treated by transoral laser microsurgery, part one: Untreated tumors, a prospective analysis of oncologic and functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To report the oncologic and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the management of untreated primary carcinoma of the tongue base. STUDY DESIGN: A two center prospective case series analysis. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with pathologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base were treated with TLM between 1997 and 2005. The pathological T stage distribution was: T1, 16; T2, 23; T3, 12 and T4, 8. Thirty-six patients presented with stage IV disease, 12 with stage III, 7 with stage II and 4 with stage I disease. Neck dissections were performed in 49 patients (83%). Twenty-eight patients (47%) underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. End points analyzed were local control, loco regional control, disease specific survival, and overall survival. Organ function was assessed before and after treatment using a clinical Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS) and Communication Scale (CS) staging system. RESULTS: The mean follow up for all patients was 31 months. The 2 and 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates were: local control, both 90%; loco-regional control, both 88%; recurrence free survival, both 84% and overall survival 91% and 69% respectively. For all patients the median stay in hospital was 4 days. The median length of hospital visit for TLM alone was 2.5 days and 4 days for TLM with neck dissection. Three patients (5%) suffered minor post-operative hemorrhage. The median pre-operative FOSS stage was 0 (normal function.) The median post-operative FOSS stage was stage 1 (Normal function with episodic or daily symptoms of dysphagia.) There were no clinically significant changes in communication function after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Transoral laser surgery is a safe and effective treatment for select early and advanced previously untreated squamous cell cancer of the tongue base. In addition, the low morbidity and mortality and shortened duration of hospitalization associated with TLM make it an attractive therapeutic alternative.

Aged↗

Laparoscopic-assisted vs. open ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: functional outcome in a case-matched series.

PURPOSE: Functional outcomes in laparoscopic-assisted ileal pouch-anal anastomosis have been incompletely studied. More than one-year follow-up has rarely been reported in these patients. This study was designed to assess operative, functional, and quality of life outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis a minimum of one year after. METHODS: Thirty-three laparoscopic-assisted ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and 33 open ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients, with a median of 13 months and minimum of 12 months follow-up, were identified from a prospective, laparoscopic database. Functional outcome was prospectively assessed by using a standardized survey. These cohorts were matched by individual patient for year of surgery, age, gender, body mass index, and indication. RESULTS: Median age was 27 years (open) and 28 years (laparoscopic). There were 27 females and 6 males in each group. All operations occurred between 1999 and 2001. Median body mass index was 22.3 (open) and 21.7 (laparoscopic) groups. There were no significant differences in diagnosis, use of diversion, and anastomotic technique. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 6 percent of the laparoscopic cases and 12 percent of the open cases. Functional outcome after a minimum of one year revealed equivalent median day and median nocturnal number of stools of six to seven and one to two respectively. Consistency of stool, medication usage, and continence were no different between groups. Daytime and nocturnal incontinence was similar. Quality of life in regard to social, home life, family, travel, sports, recreation, and sex life were equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: The function and quality of life outcomes for patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted ileal pouch-anal anastomosis seem to be equivalent to our open experience. Laparoscopic-assisted ileal pouch-anal anastomosis offers selected patients a safe, feasible, and durable alternative.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

A prognostic model for functional outcome in early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a prognostic algorithm to predict 5-year functional outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), based on the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). METHODS: Data from all patients with 5-year followup (n = 985) were used from an inception cohort, the Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Study (ERAS). Possibly relevant prognostic factors considered in the initial stage of the model-building process were standard clinical, radiological, and laboratory features measured at baseline and at 1 year. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression, and the predictive performance of the model was tested using measures of discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: Bootstrap resampling identified 6 variables that consistently predicted severe functional outcome. Functional grade III/IV (odds ratio 6.7) and HAQ at 1 year (odds ratio 2.4) were the most important. Other variables included socioeconomic status, hemoglobin, and radiographic and disease activity scores. Estimates of the regression coefficients and performance were corrected for over-fitting. Reasonably large values for the c-index (0.82) and the Nagelkerke R(2) (0.39) indicate that the set of prognostic factors explains the variation in outcome to a degree that implies good prediction for individual patients. CONCLUSION: The algorithm identifies patients in the first year of RA who are likely to have poor function by 5 years and who could potentially benefit from aggressive drug therapy. A nomogram is produced for simple application of the model in clinical practice. While further external validation is necessary, this model could allow clinicians to target aggressive therapy earlier in a patient's disease course.

Adult↗

Functional outcome after open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

INTRODUCTION: Detailed information on functional outcome after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is sparse. Information about functional outcome of open AAA repair is essential to allow comparison of treatment modalities. METHODS: To determine the functional outcome of patients after open repair of AAA, we reviewed 154 consecutive, nonemergency open repairs of infrarenal AAAs between 1990 and 1997 and each patient's medical records. Clinical variables were recorded for each patient, as were multiple outcomes, including ambulatory status, independent living status, current medical condition, and the patient's perception of recovery and satisfaction. Eighty-seven patients or their families were available for current telephone interview to obtain information about objective functional activities, including walking and driving, and subjective functional information, including assessment of complete recovery and willingness to undergo AAA repair again. Chart data were available for all 154 patients. RESULTS: There were 42 women and 112 men. A total of 139 operations were elective, and 15 were urgent. The operative mortality rate was 4%, mean hospital stay was 10.7 +/- 1.3 days, and mean intensive care unit stay was 4.57 +/- 1.17 days. Seventeen (11%) patients required transfer to a skilled nursing facility with a mean stay of 3.66 +/- 2.9 months. All patients were ambulatory preoperatively, whereas at last follow-up (median, 25 months; range, 0.13-108.5 months), 100 (64%) of the patients remained ambulatory, 34 (22%) required assistance, and 12 (14%) were nonambulatory. At current assessment by telephone interview, 33% of patients described a decrease in their functional activity including driving, shopping, and traveling compared with their preoperative status, whereas 67% were unchanged. When asked to assess their own degree of recovery, 64% of patients stated that they experienced complete recovery with an average time to recovery of 3.9 months, whereas 33% said they had not fully recovered at a mean follow-up of 34 months. Sixteen (18%) patients said they would not undergo AAA repair again knowing the recovery process, even though they appeared to fully understand the implication of AAA rupture. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing open AAA repair generally experienced significant freedom from surgical complications. However, substantial functional impairment was present. It is unclear whether the functional disability resulted from the AAA surgery or from aging and comorbidities unrelated to surgery.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Primary parotid malignoma surgery in patients with normal preoperative facial nerve function: outcome and long-term postoperative facial nerve function.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Most patients with primary parotid cancer present with normal facial nerve function. The common surgical strategy for these patients is to perform a parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation. Nevertheless, the functional outcome for the facial nerve and oncological outcome is unclear. STUDY DESIGN: Medical records of 211 patients treated from 1986 to 2000 in an university hospital were reviewed. One hundred seven patients with primary surgery for primary parotid cancer and long-term follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. METHODS: The characteristics, treatment, and oncological outcome were evaluated using hospital chart data. All patients with postoperative facial paresis were had follow-up with electromyography until recovery or permanent paresis became apparent. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients had a normal preoperative function. Facial nerve preservation during surgery by total parotidectomy was possible in 79 patients, whereas in 28 patients a radical parotidectomy was necessary. Otherwise, the oncological characteristics of both groups were not different. Directly after total parotidectomy, half of the patients presented a facial paresis but only two patients (2%) developed a permanent partial paresis. The 5-year disease-free rate and the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 65%, 83%, and 54%, respectively. After radical parotidectomy, the results were not significantly different. The 5-year disease-free rate and the overall 5- and the 10-year survival rates were 56%, 62%, and 42%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Treatment of primary parotid cancer with preoperatively normal facial nerve function by standardized parotidectomy and precise microsurgical preservation of the facial nerve is often possible. This approach demonstrates favorable oncological results with a low level of long-term facial nerve morbidity.

Adolescent↗

Traumatic brain injury in the elderly: increased mortality and worse functional outcome at discharge despite lower injury severity.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare data obtained from a statewide data set for elderly patients (age > 64 years) that presented with traumatic brain injury with data from nonelderly patients (age > 15 and < 65 years) with similar injuries. METHODS: The New York State Trauma Registry from January 1994 through December 1995, from trauma centers and community hospitals excluding New York City (45,982 patients), was examined. Head-injured patients were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis codes. A relative head injury severity scale (RHISS) was constructed on the basis of groups of these codes (range, 0 = none to 3 = severe). Comparisons were made with nonelderly patients for mortality, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission and discharge, Injury Severity Score, New Injury Severity Score, and RHISS. Outcome was assessed by a Functional Independence Measure score in three major domains: expression, locomotion, and feeding. Data were analyzed by the chi2 test and Mann-Whitney U test, with p < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: There were 11,772 patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis of head injury, of which 3,244 (27%) were elderly. There were more male subjects in the nonelderly population (78% male subjects) compared with the elderly population (50% men). Mortality was 24.0% in the elderly population compared with 12.8% in the nonelderly population (risk ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.99-2.43). The elderly nonsurvivors were statistically older, and mortality rate increased with age. Stratified by GCS score, there was a higher percentage of nonsurvivors in the elderly population, even in the group with only moderately depressed GCS score (GCS score of 13-15; risk ratio, 7.8; 95% confidence interval, 6.1-9.9 for elderly vs. nonelderly). Functional outcome in all three domains was significantly worse in the elderly survivors compared with the nonelderly survivors. CONCLUSION: Elderly traumatic brain injury patients have a worse mortality and functional outcome than nonelderly patients who present with head injury even though their head injury and overall injuries are seemingly less severe.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Prediction of functional outcomes in patients with chronic pain.

UNLABELLED: This prospective study determined the extent to which demographic factors, pain levels, psychological factors, and readiness to change predicted functional outcomes in patients with chronic pain. METHOD: Participants were 26 patients referred for evaluation to a multidisciplinary pain management program. The Pain Disability Index (PDI), Pain Patient Profile (P-3), and Pain Stages of Change Questionnaire (PSOCQ) measured function, psychological factors and readiness to change respectively. Patients completed the battery of tests upon initial evaluation and 3 months into treatment. RESULTS: A regression analysis using only initial assessment measures as predictors of functional outcome indicated a 2-variable prediction model (work status and contemplation) that accounted for 49% of the variance in 3-month functional outcome. Regression analysis using data at initial and follow-up assessment found that work status, contemplation, and best and worst pain at follow-up predicted 84.4% of the variance in 3-month functional outcome. CONCLUSION: These findings provide good models for prediction of 3-month functional outcome based on demographic, psychological, and readiness to change indicators.

Chronic Disease↗

Comparison of functional outcomes of Duhamel and transanal endorectal coloanal anastomosis for Hirschsprung's disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the morbidity and medium-term functional outcome of the Duhamel operation and laparotomy and transanal endorectal coloanal anastomosis (TECA) for Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR). METHODS: The study populations were 34 consecutive children who underwent the Duhamel operation (or Lester Martin modification) and 37 who had the TECA. Demographic details were obtained by case note review, and functional outcome was determined by a combination of outpatient interview, questionnaire, and telephone enquiry. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, gender, and length of aganglionic segment. Seventy percent presented as neonates (Duhamel, 24 of 34; TECA, 26 of 37). A single-stage primary pull-through was performed in 17 of 37 children in the TECA group, and in 1 of 34 from the Duhamel group. There was a single perioperative death in the Duhamel group and an unrelated, late death in the TECA group. Postoperative enterocolitis was seen in 13 of 37 TECA children and in a single child from the Duhamel group. A stricture of the pull-through segment was seen in 7 of 37 children after TECA and required temporary diversion in 2 of 9. Late division of a rectal spur was required in 6 of 33 Duhamel children. Requirement for late myectomy was the same in both groups (Duhamel 3 of 33, TECA 4 of 37). Complications requiring stoma formation occurred in 5 of 37 after TECA and 2 of 33 after the Duhamel operation. Two children from the TECA group and 1 from the Duhamel group remain diverted. One child from each group required a re-pull-through procedure. Two patients were lost to follow-up in the TECA group, leaving 34 children in this group and 33 in the Duhamel group in whom functional outcome could be assessed. Functional outcome was similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: TECA and Duhamel procedures have similar medium-term functional outcomes. TECA has a high incidence of postoperative enterocolitis and transient stricture formation but is suitable for single-stage neonatal treatment of HSCR.

Anal Canal↗

Factors affecting functional outcome after stroke: a critical review of rehabilitation interventions.

A comprehensive review of the medical literature from 1950 to 1998 revealed 79 articles examining associations between rehabilitation interventions and functional outcome after stroke. This body of literature was critically analyzed, using established techniques, to reveal factors that were consistently associated with functional outcome after stroke. The following rehabilitation interventions after stroke appear to have a strong relationship with improved functional outcome at hospital discharge and follow-up: increased functional skills on admission to rehabilitation, early initiation of rehabilitation services, and rehabilitation in an interdisciplinary versus multidisciplinary setting. The following rehabilitation interventions after stroke appear to have a weak relationship with improved functional outcome at hospital discharge and follow-up: use of specialized types of therapy services and greater intensity of therapy services. The current literature is too limited to allow an assessment of the relationship of the following factors after stroke and functional outcome: specific types of non-inpatient rehabilitation services.

Ambulatory Care↗

Improved functional outcome for severely injured children treated at pediatric trauma centers.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the impact of pediatric trauma centers (PTC) on survival for injured children. However, functional outcome for children treated at PTC compared with adult trauma centers (ATC) has not been evaluated. METHODS: An analysis of children entered in the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study between 1993 and 1997 was conducted. Patients were stratified according to type of trauma center: PTC; Level I ATC; Level II ATC; or ATC with added qualifications (AQ). Functional outcome at discharge was analyzed. RESULTS: For severely injured children, there was an overall trend toward improved functional outcome at PTC compared with ATC AQ and ATC I, but no difference compared with ATC II. PTC showed improved functional outcome at discharge for head injury compared with ATC AQ and ATC I. CONCLUSION: There is an overall trend toward improved functional outcome at discharge for children treated at PTC compared with those treated at ATC AQ and ATC I. Improved outcome for head injury may be a key factor contributing to improved outcome at PTC.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The functional outcome and quality of life of children after admission to an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of children following admission to a paediatric intensive care unit. DESIGN: Prospective, long-term follow-up study. SETTING: Sixteen-bed multi-disciplinary paediatric intensive care unit in a free-standing, university, tertiary, teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All children consecutively admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit from 1(st) January, 1995, to 31(st) December, 1995. INTERVENTIONS: Outcome was evaluated, by telephone interview, at a median of 3.5 years (range 2.3-6 years) after admission to the intensive care unit using a modification of the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) to assess functional outcome and the Health State Utility Index (Mark 1) to assess quality of life. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the children admitted to the intensive care unit, 83.8% were alive at the time of follow-up. While 10.3% of the survivors had an unfavourable outcome and were likely to live dependent on care, 89.7% had a favourable outcome and were likely to lead an independent existence. Although 16.4% had an unfavourable quality of life, 83.6% of the children survived with a favourable quality of life. At the time of follow-up, 16.2% of the children were dead: 49% died in the intensive care unit, 5% died in hospital and 46% died after discharge from hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of children admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit survive with an excellent functional outcome and quality of life. Long-term outcome assessment provides a basis for observing trends in outcome over time within the same institution.

Cause of Death↗