LeAf trauma – Project update

Introduction: Every year, ca. 30,000 people in Germany suffer major trauma. The survivors are often confronted with long-lasting pain, psychological sequelae and inability to work, which impairs their health-related Quality of Life (hrQoL). The "LeAf Trauma" project focuses on an evaluation of the recovery of work ability and hrQoL as primary outcome parameters. A participatory approach is applied by including patient reported outcomes and experiences. As part of this, influencing factors are identified

Material & Methods: The present study consists of (1) a prospective multicenter cohort study with a sample of 1500 participants from ca. 50 trauma centers and (2) a retrospective analysis of AOK routine data (2015-2017). Within part (1) patients are included at discharge from hospital (baseline) and subsequently interviewed at 6, 12, and 18 months (follow-ups). Questionnaires developed or selected based on a literature review, semi-structured patient and expert interviews, and a consensus process of the Project's interdisciplinary team will be used to capture relevant endpoints meaningful to patients. In addition, the (2) part will analyze patient pathways after index major trauma treatment until return to work. As part of this, an evidence-based definition will be developed identifying severely injured patients in health insurance data in Germany.

Results: Based on this information, potentially influential predictors were identified, which will be tested using the prospective study questionnaire including factors such as type of accident, injury patterns, sociodemographic characteristics, personality traits, rehabilitation measures, and occupational background.

Conclusion: The short-term goal of the project is the identification of relevant and influenceable predictors for hrQoL and work ability after major trauma, including the patient perspective. The long-term goal is to optimize the quality of care by providing practical recommendations for action.

'No'