Outcome in consecutive emergency department attenders following a road traffic accident.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the consequences of road traffic accidents.


OBJECTIVE
To determine psychological and social outcome at 3 months and 1 year following a road traffic accident.


METHODS
A cohort study of a 1-year sample of consecutive attenders (n=1148) aged 17-69 years at the accident and emergency department of a teaching district general hospital (excluding major head injury). Data were extracted from medica notes and from self-report at baseline, 3 months and 1 year.


RESULTS
Most (61%) injuries were physically minor. At 1 year 45% reported major physical problems and 32% reported psychiatric consequences. Non-injury variables were the principal predictors of outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Outcome across a range of variables is considerably worse than would be expected from the nature of the physical injuries. There is a need for changes in clinical care and socio-legal policy to prevent, identify and treat distressing and disabling chronic problems.
Mayou
R
R
Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Bryant
B
B
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation