@article{ref1,
title="The health status of people claiming compensation for musculoskeletal injuries following road traffic crashes is not altered by an early intervention programme: a comparative study",
journal="Injury",
year="2014",
author="Littleton, S. M. and Hughes, D. C. and Gopinath, B. and Robinson, B. J. and Poustie, S. J. and Smith, P. N. and Cameron, I. D.",
volume="45",
number="9",
pages="1493-1499",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To compare health outcomes among claimants compared to those who were ineligible or choose not to lodge a compensation claim. We also evaluated the effect of an early intervention programme on the health outcomes of the participants. <br><br>DESIGN: Prospective comparative study using sequential cohorts. SUBJECTS: People presenting to hospital emergency departments with mild to moderate musculoskeletal injuries following road traffic crashes. INTERVENTION: referral to an early intervention programme for assessment by musculoskeletal physician, pain management education, promotion of self-management and encouragement of early activity. MAIN OUTCOMES: The 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Functional Rating Index (FRI) scores were assessed at post-crash and at 12 months. <br><br>RESULTS: At 12 months, mean scores in six and five of the SF-36 domains were significantly lower among participants who claimed compensation versus those who chose not to claim or were ineligible, respectively. Differences in mean SF-36 scores ranged from 3.0 ('general health perception') to 8.0 units ('role limitations due to physical problems'). Participants who claimed compensation had 6.3- and 4.6-units lower SF-36 physical component score compared to those who were ineligible (p=0.001) or chose not to claim (p=0.01), respectively. Participants who claimed compensation reported a worse HADS-depression score of 6.46 versus 4.97 and 4.69 observed in those who were ineligible (p=0.04) or did not claim (p=0.01). Claimants had worse FRI scores compared to non-claimants (p=0.01) and those who were ineligible (p=0.01). The early intervention did not improve health outcomes, 12 months after injury. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Claiming compensation was associated with a worse health status for people with soft tissue injuries caused by road traffic crashes. The health status in people claiming compensation was not altered by an early intervention programme.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0020-1383",
doi="10.1016/j.injury.2014.05.011",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2014.05.011"
}