Predictors of functional independence, quality of life, and return to work in patients with burn injuries in mainland China

Dan Tang; Cecilia W P Li-Tsang; Ricky K C Au; Xia Shen; Kui-Cheng Li; Xian-Feng Yi; Lin-Rong Liao; Hai-Yan Cao; Ya-Nan Feng; Chuan-Shun Liu

doi:10.1186/s41038-016-0058-4

Predictors of functional independence, quality of life, and return to work in patients with burn injuries in mainland China

Burns Trauma. 2016 Nov 4:4:32. doi: 10.1186/s41038-016-0058-4. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Dan Tang¹, Cecilia W P Li-Tsang², Ricky K C Au², Xia Shen³, Kui-Cheng Li⁴, Xian-Feng Yi⁵, Lin-Rong Liao³, Hai-Yan Cao⁴, Ya-Nan Feng⁴, Chuan-Shun Liu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China ; Guangdong Provincial Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
² Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China.
³ Department of Physiotherapy, Guangdong Provincial Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ Department of Occupational Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
⁵ Department of Burn Surgery and Burn Rehabilitation, Guangdong Provincial Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China.

Abstract

Background: Burn injury may be associated with long-term rehabilitation and disability, while research studies on the functional performance after injuries, quality of life (QOL), and abilities to return to work of burn patients are limited. These outcomes are related not just to the degree and nature of injuries, but also to the socio-economical background of the society. This study aimed to identify the factors which might affect burn patients' abilities to reintegrate back to the society based on a sample in mainland China.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to collect data of demographic characteristics, medical data about burn injuries, physical and psychological status, and self-perceived QOL at the initial phase and upon discharge from a rehabilitation hospital, timing of rehabilitation, and duration of rehabilitation intervention. Four hundred fifteen patients with burn injuries were recruited in the study. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to obtain a model to predict the functional abilities and the perceived QOL at discharge and their changes during rehabilitation, as well as the post-injury work status within 6 months after discharge.

Results: The functional performance at discharge and its change were significantly predicted by the functional abilities and QOL at the admission, duration of treatment, timing of rehabilitation, payer source, and total body surface area burned. The perceived QOL at discharge and its change were significantly predicted by the baseline QOL at admission and duration of treatment. The significant predictors of work status within 6 months post-discharge included age, education, payer source, total body surface area burned, perceived QOL, and bodily pain at admission.

Conclusions: The present study identified a number of factors affecting the rehabilitation outcomes of people with burn injuries. Identification of these predictors may help clinicians assess the rehabilitation potential of burn survivors and assist in resource allocation. Policy makers should ensure that resources are adequate to improve the outcomes based on these factors.

Keywords: Burns; Functional independence; Predictors; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Return to work.