Factors influencing self-rated health in traffic-related mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract

To report self-rated health and factors influencing health after traffic-related mild traumatic brain injury. Population-based, cross-sectional study of traffic-related mild traumatic brain injury occurring between 1 December 1997 and 31 November 1999 in Saskatchewan, Canada. Subjects were 929 adults making a personal injury claim after a traffic collision. Inclusion criteria were a head blow with certain or possible loss of consciousness or post-traumatic amnesia, or a possible head blow with certain loss of consciousness/post-traumatic amnesia. Excluded were those with loss of consciousness > 30 min and those hospitalized longer than 2 days. Data were self-reported through insurance application forms completed within 6 weeks of the injury. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with self-reported general health. In contrast to the 74.5% of subjects reporting excellent or very good health prior to injury, 70.8% reported having poor/fair health after the injury. Post-crash depressive symptoms, sleep problems, greater neck/low back pain and low expectations for recovery were associated with poorer post-injury health. Those with traffic-related mild traumatic brain injury reported a decline in self-perceived general health. We identified potentially modifiable factors associated with poor post-injury health and suggested that these factors should be considered during early clinical intervention.