Posttraumatic stress disorders and extent of psychosocial impairments five years after a traffic accident

This five year long-term follow-up study estimated the prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems in traffic accident victims. 70 patients were invited for a personal interview to assess mental disorders (DIA-X), depression (BDI), mental distress (SCL-90-R), and psychosocial (SDS) and physical impairments at least five years after their first admission to a university hospital (Department of Traumatology). Prevalence of PTSD was 10%, and another 14.2% of the patients also had a partial PTSD. Other mental disorders had a lower prevalence (7.2%). Patients with PTSD did not differ in sociodemographic characteristics from patients without PTSD. PTSD patients were more depressed and showed more general psychological distress. Furthermore, PTSD was associated with impairments in job, social interaction, and leisure activities. Persistent medical and mental problems correlated highly with PTSD. Implications for secondary prevention of persistent mental health problems of traffic accident patients are discussed in their connection with PTSD.