Recovery of functional capacity in severe trauma victims at one year after injury: association with trauma-related and hospital stay aspects

A Demographic Profile of Disability Assessed Patients in Selected Tertiary Care Hospitals in Coastal Karnataka, India: A Retrospective Study

Background

Disability assessment is a critical component in getting a comprehensive and amicable compensation in medico-legal cases. The data regarding acquired disability among the hospital-admitted patients are lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine the demographic profile of disability-assessed patients in tertiary care hospitals in Coastal Karnataka, India between 2010 and 2019. The study also aims to evaluate the pitfalls in the present assessment method.

Materials and Methods

A record-based retrospective study of all the cases assessed by the investigator in tertiary care hospitals in Coastal Karnataka between 2010 and 2019 was analyzed. The disability was assessed using Govt. of India guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 2004 cases were analyzed; among them, 85% were males. The average percentage of disability was 26% (SD = 16.2). Mean age of the patients was 38 years, the median calculated for duration of hospital stay was 15 days, and 15% patients had multiple disabilities. The Brachial plexus injury resulted in the highest percentage of disability (76%) followed by spine (43%) and head injury (38%). Locomotor disability was found in 77% of cases, and lower limbs and right side were involved twice more than the upper limbs and left side.

Conclusion

The study reveals the demographic profile of disability-assessed patients admitted in hospitals. This database will help to create awareness among health care professionals, Govt. bodies, and insurance companies about the magnitude of the problem.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-022-00706-4.

Substance Use and Maxillofacial Trauma: A Comprehensive Patient Profile

PURPOSE

Maxillofacial trauma confers an increased risk of long-term clinical sequelae with a substantial economic burden on the health care system. Substance use has long been correlated with an increased risk of trauma, yet to date, a comprehensive profile of substance users incurring facial fractures has not been established. We aimed to establish patterns and trends of substance use and specific substances in the setting of maxillofacial trauma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted at our institution examining patients with maxillofacial fractures from 2016 to 2017. Information on age, gender, race, urine drug screen status, setting of presentation, mechanism of injury, trauma history, and injury severity was collected and examined for associations with particular substances.

RESULTS

We included 388 patients for analysis. Patients with positive urine drug screen results were significantly more likely to be men, present in an urban setting, incur poly-facial trauma, and have a history of facial trauma. In addition, alcohol use correlated significantly with injury severity in the context of polytrauma. Living in an urban setting and using phencyclidine were both significantly associated with a history of maxillofacial trauma.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with comorbid maxillofacial trauma and substance use exhibit particular patterns in presentation and history. Establishing a profile for these patients allows for the development of prevention and rehabilitation programs.