A Study of Psychiatric Consequences following Road Traffic Accidents

Abstract

Objectives: Psychiatric consequences are very common following RTA. The study is sought to identify the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (e.g. depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and symptoms related to PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) following injury sustained after road traffic accidents and to evaluate the relationshop between severity of injuries of  victims and psychiatric symptoms.

Methods: The 102 (male=83,female=19) patients were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect the socio- demographic data, the Self Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) -Beck Depression Inventory(BDI),Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI) and the Impact of Event Scale -Revised (IES-R). Patients were prospectively followed up for 1 month. Patients were aged between 20-69 years. The impact of injury was assessed by ISS (Injury Severity Scale) and ABI (Abbreviated injury Scale).

Results:The mean age was 33.93 years (range 20-69). Overall, the prevalence rate o of Anxiety symptoms-19.6%, depressive symptoms-21.6% and PTSD symptoms-35.3%. Females had a higher rate of PTSD symptoms 52.6% (n = 10), compared to the males 31.3% (n=26). The majority of those with PTSD (47.2%) were young, 20 - 29 years. The samples showed maximum symptoms of PTSD in first week 93.1% followed by depressive symptoms 51% and then anxiety symptoms30.4%. The symptoms gradually reduced in the fourth week to PTSD - 35.3%, depression- 21.6% and anxiety-19.6%. The study also showed higher scales of psychiatric symptoms in major injuries in comparison to minor injuries showing direct correlation of psychiatric morbidity with severity of injury.

Conclusion: Psychiatric symptoms are frequent and severe after major injuries and less severe after minor RTA. Psychopathology following injury is a frequent and persistent occurrence. Early information and advice might reduce psychological distress and symptoms. Early information and advice might reduce psychological distress and symptoms.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/mjsbh.v9i2.5017

Medical Journal of Shree Birendra Hospital Vol.9(2) 2010: 1-7