• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Dec 2022

    Impact of severe necrotizing fasciitis on quality of life in the Netherlands.

    • van StigtSander F LSFL0000-0003-1428-1248Department of Surgery, Traumasurgery, Medical Spectrum Twente, Koningsplein 1, 7512 KZ, Enschede, The Netherlands. S.vanStigt@mst.nl., Tim K J Schrooten, Merel Knubben, and TanEdward C T HECTHDepartment of Surgery, Traumasurgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands..
    • Department of Surgery, Traumasurgery, Medical Spectrum Twente, Koningsplein 1, 7512 KZ, Enschede, The Netherlands. S.vanStigt@mst.nl.
    • Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2022 Dec 1; 48 (6): 480548114805-4811.

    PurposeNecrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe soft-tissue infection which can leave survivors with big and multiple disfiguring alterations to their bodies, which can negatively affect the lives of patients by causing functional limitations and altered self-perception. In this study we aim to find if NF affect (self-reported) quality of life (QoL) in patients surviving NF.MethodsAll patients with (histopathological or surgical confirmed) NF who were admitted to the intensive care unit for 24 h or more between January 2003 and December 2017 in five hospitals from the Nijmegen teaching region were included. Quality of life was measured with the SF-36 and WHOQol-BREF. These results were compared to reference populations from the Netherlands and a Australian reference population.Results44 out of 60 patients (73.3%) who were contacted returned the surveys and were eligible for analysis. These patients showed lowered levels of quality of life on multiple domains of the SF-36: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, vitality and general health. The physical domain of the WHOQol-BREF showed also significant lowered levels of quality of life.ConclusionNF is a severe illness with a high morbidity and mortality rate. This study shows that patients who do survive NF have decreased (self-reported) quality of life in multiple domains with a focus on decreased physical functioning. During and after admission realistic expectations should be discussed and there should be more attention to signs of permanent disability. That way extra support by a physiotherapist or social worker can be provided.© 2022. The Author(s).

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