title: A comparison of health outcomes in older versus younger adults following a road traffic crash injury: a cohort study.
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.
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Bamini
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gopinath
authors.affiliation: Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Pain Management Research Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Petrina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.affiliation: Pain Management Research Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blyth
authors.affiliation: George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
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