Complications of Rib Fracture in Emergency Department Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life

Introduction: Rib fractures are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in emergency medicine, particularly when associated with thoracic trauma. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes, complication rates, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with rib fractures presenting to emergency departments in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from September ۲۰۲۴ to March ۲۰۲۵ at Hazrat Rasool and Shohada ۷th Tir Hospitals, Tehran, Iran. A total of ۲۰۰ patients with confirmed rib fractures were enrolled. Demographic data, injury mechanisms, clinical treatments, and complications were collected from medical records. QOL was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey ۳۶ (SF-۳۶) questionnaire at baseline and three-month follow-up. Recovery duration was defined as time to return to normal daily activities as reported by patients during follow-up visits or telephone interviews.  Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version ۲۶) and Pearson correlation analysis (significance level: P<۰.۰۵). Results: Of ۲۰۰ patients enrolled, ۸۷.۹% were male with mean age ۵۱.۷±۱۶.۸ years. Motor vehicle accidents (۶۳.۰%) and falls from height (۲۲.۵%) were the most common injury mechanisms. Mean number of fractured ribs was ۲.۴۵±۰.۸۰. Surgical stabilization was used in ۲۳.۵% of cases and physiotherapy in ۵۸.۰% (n=۱۹۳). Pneumothorax (۴۹.۰%), hemothorax (۳۴.۰%), and pneumonia (۱۱.۰%) were the most frequent complications. In-hospital mortality was ۳.۵% overall and ۷.۴% in patients over ۶۵ years. Recovery duration data were available for ۲۱ patients, averaging ۳.۲±۲.۳ months. Pearson correlation analysis revealed moderate negative correlations between age and QOL (r=-۰.۴۰, P<۰.۰۰۱) and between the number of fractured ribs and QOL (r=-۰.۵۰, P<۰.۰۰۱). The presence of complications and prolonged recovery duration were strongly negatively correlated with QOL (r=-۰.۶۰ for each, P<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusions: Rib fractures are associated with significant short-term and long-term morbidity, particularly in elderly patients and those sustaining multiple fractures. The strong negative associations between injury severity (number of ribs, complications) and QOL emphasize the need for aggressive pain management and rehabilitation strategies to optimize patient outcomes. Key words: Complications, Emergency department, Quality of life (QOL), Rib fractures, Thoracic trauma

کلیدواژه ها:

Complications ، Emergency department ، Quality of life (QOL) ، Rib fractures ، Thoracic trauma