Background: Recovery after injury sustained in motor vehicle crashes is often incomplete and there is considerable controversy about the predictors of limited recovery.
Aim: To describe the extent of recovery at two years after a compensable motor vehicle crash injury and to examine how this influences health and socio-economic recovery.
Methods: Study participants were identified from an insurer regulator’s database for NSW. An inception cohort study was conducted with 417 participants recruited on average 8 weeks after motor vehicle crash injury who were followed up for two years with telephone interviews. All injury types were included with the exception of very severe injuries. Principal outcomes are health related quality of life and return to work.
Principal findings: A follow-up rate of 70% was achieved. At 24 months, 27% of participants reported that their health was fair or poor, 51% reported moderate or extreme pain/discomfort and 23% reported difficulty walking. Despite these symptoms 91% of participants, who were in paid employment prior to the crash, stated they were working full duties. The variables associated most strongly with long term health outcome appear to be health related quality of life prior to the crash, and severity of pain and psychological symptoms at baseline assessment.
Discussion: This study provides potentially important data about recovery from motor vehicle crash injury in a compensation setting.
Conclusion: There is long term negative impact on health related quality of life as a result of motor vehicle crash injuries, including those that appear to be of limited severity.