A comparison of health outcomes in older versus younger adults following a road traffic crash injury: a cohort study

Bamini Gopinath*, Ian A. Harris, Michael Nicholas, Petrina Casey, Fiona Blyth, Christopher G. Maher, Ian D. Cameron

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)
15 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
Given the aging demographics of most developed countries, understanding the public health impact of mild/moderate road traffic crash injuries in older adults is important. We aimed to determine whether health outcomes (pain severity and quality of life measures) over 24 months differ significantly between older (65+) and younger adults (18–64).

Methods
Prospective cohort study of 364, 284 and 252 participants with mild/moderate injury following a vehicle collision at baseline, 12 and 24 months, respectively. A telephone-administered questionnaire obtained information on socio-economic, pre- and post-injury psychological and heath characteristics.

Results
At baseline, there were 55 (15.1%) and 309 (84.9%) participants aged ≥65 and 18–64 years, respectively. At 12- and 24-month follow-up, older compared to younger participants who had sustained a mild/moderate musculoskeletal injury had lower physical functioning (3.9-units lower Short Form-12 Physical Composite Score, multivariable-adjusted p = 0.03 at both examinations). After multivariable adjustment, older (n = 45) versus younger (n = 207) participants had lower self-perceived health status (8.1-units lower European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions Visual Acuity Scale scores at 24 months, p = 0.03), 24 months later.

Conclusions
Older compared to younger participants who sustained a mild/moderate injury following a road-traffic crash demonstrated poorer physical functioning and general health at 24 months.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0122732
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2015
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2015. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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