Increased psychological distress remains elevated in SCI , mTBI and WAD for at least 3 years post-MVC .
OBJECTIVE The aim of this meta- analysis was to determine the psychological impact associated with motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related physical injuries .
The influence of fault on health in the immediate post-crash period following road traffic crashes.
OBJECTIVE To compare the early health status of people who sustained injuries during road traffic crashes ( RTC ) in which they were at fault ( AF ) , with people who sustained injuries in RTC in which they were not at fault ( NAF ) . DESIGN Prospect i ve cohort study . SUBJECTS People presenting to the emergency department with mild to moderate musculoskeletal injuries following RTC . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Physical Component Score ( PCS ) and Mental Component Score ( MCS ) of the Short Form 36 ( SF-36 ) health status measure ; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ) and the Functional Rating Index ( FRI ) recorded immediately post-crash . RESULTS 193 people participated in the study and were enrolled a mean of 9.3 days following the crash . The mean age was 37 years and 60 % were female . 71 % were NAF . There was a significantly higher number of females in the NAF group ( 65 % compared with 35 % males ; p<0.001 ) . Neck and back injuries were reported by 90.4 % of the NAF group compared to 69.1 % of the AF group ( p<0.001 ) . There were no significant differences in PCS , FRI or pain intensity between the two groups at a mean of 9.3 days after the crash . The mean MCS for the NAF group was significantly worse than for the AF group ( 31.4 compared to 37.3 ; p = 0.005 ) . The SF-36 domain revealed a significantly worse adjusted mean role emotional score for the NAF group ( 23.4 compared to 32.5 , p = 0.002 ) . Females had significantly worse MCS score than males ( 30.6 and 38.1 respectively ; p<0.001 ) and worse adjusted mean anxiety and depression scores ( 10 compared to 7.8 ; p = 0.002 and 7.6 compared to 5.5 ; p = 0.002 respectively ) . CONCLUSIONS Despite there being no difference in physical health status , the NAF group demonstrated more emotional and mental disturbance than the AF group ; and this was significantly worse for females . Treatment strategies should focus on addressing early pain and disability as well as providing appropriate psychological interventions , particularly for people not at fault following RTC
Increased psychological distress remains elevated in SCI , mTBI and WAD for at least 3 years post-MVC .
OBJECTIVE The aim of this meta- analysis was to determine the psychological impact associated with motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related physical injuries .