OBJECTIVES: A better understanding of the long-term factors that independently predict poorer quality of life following mild to moderate musculoskeletal injuries is needed. We aimed to establish the predictors of quality of life (including, socio-demographic, health, psychosocial and pre-injury factors), 24 months after a non-catastrophic road-traffic injury. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 252 participants with mild/ moderate injury sustained in a road traffic crash, had quality of life measured 24 months following baseline survey. A telephone-administered questionnaire obtained information on various potential explanatory variables. Health-related quality of life was measured using the EQ-5D and SF-12. Multivariable linear regression analyses determined the associations between explanatory variables and quality of life measures. RESULTS: Mean SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores increased by 7.3- and 2.5-units, respectively, from baseline to 24-month follow-up. Each 10-year increase in baseline age was independently associated with 3.1- (p <0.001) and 1.5-unit (p = 0.001) decrease in EQ visual analogue scale (VAS) and SF-12 PCS scores at follow-up, respectively. Poor/ fair compared to excellent pre-injury health was associated with 0.16-, 21.3- and 11.5-unit decrease in EQ-5D summary (p = 0.03) and VAS scores (p = 0.001), and SF-12 PCS scores (p <0.001), respectively. Baseline pain severity ratings and pain catastrophizing scores were inversely associated with 24-month EQ VAS scores (both p <0.001). Each unit increase in baseline pain score (p = 0.001) and pain catastrophizing score (p = 0.02) was associated with a 1.0- and 4.6-unit decrease in SF-12 MCS scores at 24 months, respectively. Other observed predictors of quality of life measures (EQ-5D summary and/or VAS scores; and/ or SF-12 MCS) included: marital status, smoking, hospital admission, pre-injury health (anxiety/depression and chronic illness), and whiplash injury. CONCLUSION: Socio-demographic indicators, pre-injury health and bio-psychosocial correlates were independently associated with health-related quality of life 24 months following a non-catastrophic road-traffic crash injury.
a1538-957X (Electronic)