Risk factors associated with medium- to long-term outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fractures

Abstract Patients with rib fractures often suffer from prolonged pain and dyspnea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term outcomes and major predisposing risk factors for clinical limitations such as pain or reduced lung capacity in patients with conservatively managed rib...

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Main Authors: Benedikt Heyart, Cathleen Kmezik, Tobias Schöbel, Sebastian Krämer, Christian Kleber, Ulrich J. Spiegl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92622-4
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author Benedikt Heyart
Cathleen Kmezik
Tobias Schöbel
Sebastian Krämer
Christian Kleber
Ulrich J. Spiegl
author_facet Benedikt Heyart
Cathleen Kmezik
Tobias Schöbel
Sebastian Krämer
Christian Kleber
Ulrich J. Spiegl
author_sort Benedikt Heyart
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Patients with rib fractures often suffer from prolonged pain and dyspnea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term outcomes and major predisposing risk factors for clinical limitations such as pain or reduced lung capacity in patients with conservatively managed rib fractures to provide a basis for optimizing current therapy. Patients who underwent conservative management of rib fractures between 2014 and 2018 at a level I trauma center were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≤ 16 points and a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Outcome parameters were the SF-36 physical and mental component summary score (PCS and MCS, respectively) as well as current pain and respiratory problems. Risk factors evaluated included age, body mass index (BMI), in-hospital days, number of rib fractures, fracture dislocation and serial rib fracture. PCS was comparable to the normal population. The correlation between age and PCS was significant, p = .002. BMI correlated significantly with PCS, p < .001, current pain, p = .034 and respiratory problems, p = .029. No significant correlations were observed for the number of rib fractures and in-hospital days. Fracture dislocation and serial rib fracture showed no effect on PCS, p = .134 and p = .914, respectively, and current pain, p = .916 and p = .357, respectively. In the medium- to long-term, conservative treatment of simple rib fractures or serial rib fractures showed good results, but was negatively affected by a high patient age or BMI.
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spelling doaj-art-54a4ecd675024226a72e2c433629f2a32025-08-20T03:41:47ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-011511810.1038/s41598-025-92622-4Risk factors associated with medium- to long-term outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fracturesBenedikt Heyart0Cathleen Kmezik1Tobias Schöbel2Sebastian Krämer3Christian Kleber4Ulrich J. Spiegl5Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital LeipzigDivision of Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of TechnologyDepartment of Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital LeipzigDepartment of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital LeipzigDepartment of Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital LeipzigDepartment of Orthopaedics, Trauma Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital LeipzigAbstract Patients with rib fractures often suffer from prolonged pain and dyspnea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term outcomes and major predisposing risk factors for clinical limitations such as pain or reduced lung capacity in patients with conservatively managed rib fractures to provide a basis for optimizing current therapy. Patients who underwent conservative management of rib fractures between 2014 and 2018 at a level I trauma center were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≤ 16 points and a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Outcome parameters were the SF-36 physical and mental component summary score (PCS and MCS, respectively) as well as current pain and respiratory problems. Risk factors evaluated included age, body mass index (BMI), in-hospital days, number of rib fractures, fracture dislocation and serial rib fracture. PCS was comparable to the normal population. The correlation between age and PCS was significant, p = .002. BMI correlated significantly with PCS, p < .001, current pain, p = .034 and respiratory problems, p = .029. No significant correlations were observed for the number of rib fractures and in-hospital days. Fracture dislocation and serial rib fracture showed no effect on PCS, p = .134 and p = .914, respectively, and current pain, p = .916 and p = .357, respectively. In the medium- to long-term, conservative treatment of simple rib fractures or serial rib fractures showed good results, but was negatively affected by a high patient age or BMI.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92622-4Rib fractureConservative treatmentHealth-related quality of lifeMedium- to long-term outcome
spellingShingle Benedikt Heyart
Cathleen Kmezik
Tobias Schöbel
Sebastian Krämer
Christian Kleber
Ulrich J. Spiegl
Risk factors associated with medium- to long-term outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fractures
Scientific Reports
Rib fracture
Conservative treatment
Health-related quality of life
Medium- to long-term outcome
title Risk factors associated with medium- to long-term outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fractures
title_full Risk factors associated with medium- to long-term outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fractures
title_fullStr Risk factors associated with medium- to long-term outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fractures
title_full_unstemmed Risk factors associated with medium- to long-term outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fractures
title_short Risk factors associated with medium- to long-term outcome and health-related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fractures
title_sort risk factors associated with medium to long term outcome and health related quality of life of patients with conservatively treated rib fractures
topic Rib fracture
Conservative treatment
Health-related quality of life
Medium- to long-term outcome
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92622-4
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