ĐÁNH GIÁ CHẤT LƯỢNG CUỘC SỐNG Ở BỆNH NHÂN TỔN THƯƠNG ĐÁM RỐI THẦN KINH CÁNH TAY BẰNG THANG ĐIỂM SF-36 TẠI BỆNH VIỆN TRUNG ƯƠNG QUÂN ĐỘI 108

Abstract

Objectives: To describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the SF-36 in patients with brachial plexus injury (BPI), evaluate pre–post changes after nerve transfer surgery, and identify factors associated with the magnitude of improvement. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 82 BPI patients treated at 108 Military Central Hospital (05/2023–12/2024). The Vietnamese SF-36 was administered preoperatively and at discharge. Paired comparisons (paired t/Wilcoxon) were performed across eight domains and three composite scores (physical, mental, overall). Factors associated with change (Δ) were examined using independent t-tests/ANOVA. Results: Males accounted for 91.5%; mean age 34.4±12.8 (17–65); complete palsy 53.7%. Preoperatively, within the physical domains, role limitations due to physical health and bodily pain were clearly lower than the other domains, whereas physical functioning and general health were mid-range. In the mental domains, role limitations due to emotional problems was lower than the others, while vitality, mental health, and social functioning were mid-to-upper range. Physical, mental, and overall scores increased significantly after surgery: 39.0→45.3 (Δ=6.3±3.6), 57.1→61.9 (Δ=4.8±3.9), and 48.1→53.6 (Δ=5.5±2.6); all p<0.001. Physical domains and most mental domains improved markedly; only role-emotional did not show a statistically significant change. Physical improvement was greater in incomplete than in complete palsy; age and sex were not significantly associated. Conclusions: Nerve transfer surgery for brachial plexus injury leads to marked improvement in HRQoL, with more pronounced gains in the physical component.