Health-related quality of life and motor vehicle-related injuries: Beyond one year follow up of a population-based sample

Background Traffic related injures are a ubiquitous threat to public heath. This study aims to quantify the long-term (≥1 year) effects of traffic-related injuries on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) as reported in a nationally representative sample. Methods Participants included non-institutionalized U.S. residents (ages ≥18) from seven panels (2000-2007) of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). They were surveyed five times 4-5 months apart (~30 months follow-up). Measures included the physical and mental components of the SF-12 and the EQ-5D, which are two measures of health status that incorporate self-reported functioning and perception of health. Individuals were included if they either: (a) reported a traffic-related injury in round 1-2 and did not have another injury in subsequent rounds; or (b): did not report traffic injury in rounds 1-4 (comparison group). Statistical analyses included weighted multivariate linear regression at the two follow-up time points separately. Results Traffic-related injuries were significantly (p<0.05) associated with deficits in HRQOL in both time points. For those reporting traffic-related injuries, mean physical and mental SF-12 components, EQ-5D index, and EQ-VAS scores were, respectively, -1.8, -2.3, -.04 and -7.3 points lower a year or more after the reported injury, relative to uninjured individuals. Larger deficits were reported, especially in the EQ-5D scores (index=-.1, EQ-VAS=-9.1), by those injured with permanent disabilities. Conclusions Traffic-related injuries are associated with long-term deficits in self-reported health and functioning. These results call for further research to better understand persistence of traffic-related disabilities and their effects on quality of life at the population level.