Quality of life of patients with 3D-printed arm prostheses in a rural area of Sierra Leone.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In Sierra Leone, access to prostheses is limited due to absence of practical knowledge, materials, trained staff, and high cost. This paper investigates the impact of a 3D printed prosthesis on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in prosthesis recipients.

Methods

Patients with upper extremity amputations were included in this case study from December 2018 until July 2019. Data on the HRQoL was gathered until April 2020 in Masanga Hospital, central rural Sierra Leone. At two follow-up moments the HRQoL was assessed by applying the standard EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. These two follow-up moments varied between one week and just over a year after receiving the prosthesis. A second patient questionnaire was used to assess prosthesis satisfaction.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Sterkenburg AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8273216 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature