Recovery trajectories for long-term health-related quality of life following a road traffic crash injury: Results from the UQ SuPPORT study.

Background: Diminished physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a common consequence of road traffic crash (RTC) injury. This study aimed to (a) determine the probable recovery trajectories in physical and mental HRQoL; (b) examine the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on HRQoL scores within these trajectory groups; and (c) examine the influence of predictor covariates on trajectory group membership.

Methods: 336 (63% female, M =44.

External validation of a clinical prediction rule to predict full recovery and ongoing moderate/severe disability following acute whiplash injury.

Study Design: Retrospective secondary analysis of data.

Objectives: To investigate the external validity of the whiplash clinical prediction rule (CPR).

Background: We recently derived a whiplash CPR to consolidate previously established prognostic factors for poor recovery from a whiplash injury and predicted 2 recovery pathways.

Prospective evaluation of parent distress following pediatric burns and identification of risk factors for young child and parent posttraumatic stress disorder.

Objective: Early childhood is a high-risk time for exposure to potentially traumatic medical events. We have previously reported that 10% of young children continue to have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 6 months after burn injury. This study aimed to 1) document the prevalence and prospective change in parental psychological distress over 6 months following their child's burn injury and 2) identify risk factors for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in young children and their parents.

Derivation of a clinical prediction rule to identify both chronic moderate/severe disability and full recovery following whiplash injury.

Recovery following a whiplash injury is varied: approximately 50% of individuals fully recover, 25% develop persistent moderate/severe pain and disability, and 25% experience milder levels of disability. Identification of individuals likely to develop moderate/severe disability or to fully recover may help direct therapeutic resources and optimise treatment. A clinical prediction rule (CPR) is a research-generated tool used to predict outcomes such as likelihood of developing moderate/severe disability or experiencing full recovery from whiplash injury.

Management of acute whiplash: a randomized controlled trial of multidisciplinary stratified treatments.

Acute whiplash is a heterogeneous disorder that becomes persistent in 40% to 60% of cases. Estimates of recovery have not changed in recent decades. This randomized, single-blind, controlled trial tested whether multidisciplinary individualized treatments for patients with acute whiplash (<4 weeks postinjury) could reduce the incidence of chronicity at 6 mo by 50% compared to usual care.

Assessment and validation of prognostic models for poor functional recovery 12 months after whiplash injury: a multicentre inception cohort study.

Uncertainty surrounds prognostic factors after whiplash injury. Previously we identified a prognostic model for 6-month pain-related disability in a cohort of 80 participants with acute whiplash. Predictors included initial disability, older age, decreased cold pain thresholds, decreased neck rotation movement, posttraumatic stress symptoms and decreased sympathetic vasoconstriction.

Impact of posttraumatic stress disorder and injury severity on recovery in children with traumatic brain injury.

The adverse impact on recovery of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been demonstrated in returned veterans. The study assessed this effect in children's health outcomes following TBI and extended previous work by including a full range of TBI severity, and improved assessment of PTSD within a longitudinal design. There were 205 children and adolescents (6 to 15 years of age) who experienced a TBI that were assessed at 2, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months following the TBI.

Determinants of foodservice satisfaction for patients in geriatrics/rehabilitation and residents in residential aged care.

Background: Poor satisfaction with institutional food is a significant moderator of food intake in geriatrics/rehabilitation and residential aged care.

Purpose: To quantify the relationship between foodservice satisfaction, foodservice characteristics, demographic and contextual variables in geriatrics/rehabilitation and residential aged care.

Methods: The Resident Foodservice Satisfaction Questionnaire was administered to 103 patients of 2 geriatrics/rehabilitation units and 210 residents of nine residential aged care facilities in Brisbane, Australia.

Population-based normative values for the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index: part I.

Objectives: To develop population-based age- and gender-specific normative values for the pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales of the WOMAC Index for benchmarking applications.

Methods: A scannable survey questionnaire capable of capturing WOMAC Index data and demographic information was developed, pretested, and distributed to a stratified random sample of 36,000 members of the Australian general public generated by the Australian Electoral Commission.

Results: Age- and gender-specific WOMAC normative values were estimated based on approximately 7300 subjects.

Population-based normative values for the Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) Hand Osteoarthritis Index: part 2.

Objectives: To develop population-based age- and gender-specific normative values for the pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales of the AUSCAN Index for benchmarking applications.

Methods: A scannable survey questionnaire capable of capturing AUSCAN Index data and demographic information was developed, pretested, and distributed to a stratified random sample of 36,000 members of the Australian general public generated by the Australian Electoral Commission.

Results: Age- and gender-specific AUSCAN normative values were estimated based on approximately 7300 subjects.

Similar factors predict disability and posttraumatic stress disorder trajectories after whiplash injury.

Distinct developmental trajectories for neck disability and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after whiplash injury have recently been identified. This study aimed to identify baseline predictors of membership to these trajectories and to explore their dual development. In a prospective study, 155 individuals with whiplash were assessed at <1 month, 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury.

Speed cameras for the prevention of road traffic injuries and deaths.

Background: It is estimated that by 2020, road traffic crashes will have moved from ninth to third in the world ranking of burden of disease, as measured in disability adjusted life years. The prevention of road traffic injuries is of global public health importance. Measures aimed at reducing traffic speed are considered essential to preventing road injuries; the use of speed cameras is one such measure.

Speed cameras for the prevention of road traffic injuries and deaths.

Background: It is estimated that by 2020, road traffic crashes will have moved from ninth to third in the world ranking of burden of disease, as measured in disability adjusted life years. The prevention of road traffic injuries is of global public health importance. Measures aimed at reducing traffic speed are considered essential to preventing road injuries; the use of speed cameras is one such measure.

Osteoarthritis Index delivered by mobile phone (m-WOMAC) is valid, reliable, and responsive.

Objectives: To evaluate the validity, reliability, responsiveness, and mode preference of electronic data capture (EDC) using the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) numerical rating scale (NRS) 3.1 Osteoarthritis (OA) Index on Motorola V3 mobile phones.

Study Design And Setting: Patients with OA undergoing hip or knee joint replacement were assessed preoperatively and 3-4 months postoperatively, completing the WOMAC Index in paper (p-WOMAC) and electronic (m-WOMAC) format in random order.

Parental response to child injury: examination of parental posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories following child accidental injury.

Objective: Trajectory analyses were used to empirically differentiate patterns of posttraumatic stress symptoms in parents following child accidental injury and explore the relationship between parent and child recovery patterns.

Method: Parent (n = 189) self-reported symptoms from acute to 2 years post accident were examined to (1) identify distinct parent symptom trajectories; (2) identify risk factors; and (3) explore the patterns of children and parents together.

Results: Analysis revealed three distinct symptom trajectory groups for parents: resilient (78%); clinical level acute symptoms that declined to below clinical level by 6 months (recovery 8%); and chronic subclinical (14%).

Compensation claim lodgement and health outcome developmental trajectories following whiplash injury: A prospective study.

This study aimed to identify distinctive trajectories for pain/disability and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following whiplash injury and to examine the effect of injury compensation claim lodgement on the trajectories. In a prospective study, 155 individuals with whiplash were assessed at <1month, 3, 6 and 12months post injury. Outcomes at each time point were Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS).

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of fatty infiltrate in the cervical flexors in chronic whiplash.

Study Design: Retrospective investigation of muscle changes in patients suffering from chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

Objectives: To quantitatively compare the presence of muscle alterations (fatty infiltrate [MFI] and cross-sectional area [CSA]) in the anterior musculature of the cervical spine in a cohort of chronic whiplash patients (WAD II) and healthy control subjects across muscle and cervical segmental level.

Summary Of Background Data: Magnetic resonance imaging can be regarded as the gold standard for muscle imaging.

A randomized controlled trial of a web-based early intervention for children and their parents following unintentional injury.

Objective: The aim of this article was to evaluate the effectiveness of an information provision web-based early intervention via a randomized controlled trial for children and their parents following pediatric unintentional injury.

Method: Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 29) or a control group (n = 27) following baseline measurements. Further assessment was taken at 4-6 weeks and 6 months post-trauma event.

The course of posttraumatic stress in children: examination of recovery trajectories following traumatic injury.

Objective: Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify patterns of posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) in children 6-16 years following accidental injury. The aims were to: (a) identify probable groups of children following distinct trajectories, and (b) identify risk factors affecting the probability of group membership.

Method: Children's Impact of Events Scale (n = 190) was used to assess PTSS up to 2 years post injury.

Screening for depression in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: The first aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of four commonly used depression screening measures for medically ill populations in identifying depression within a diabetes sample. The second aim was to examine whether the inclusion of a measure for physical symptoms specific to diabetes is also necessary for a diagnosis of depression or alternatively whether any overlap would obscure the effect on the screening measure for depression.

Research Design And Methods: One hundred fifty patients with Type 2 diabetes in two large public hospital outpatient clinics completed a questionnaire which included the Center for Epidemiological Studies--Depression Scale (CES-D), the Silverstone Concise Assessment for Depression (SCAD), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Depression in the Medically Ill (DMI) Questionnaire.

A meta-analysis of risk factors that predict psychopathology following accidental trauma.

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to explore the risk factors that place a child at risk of psychopathology following accidental trauma.

Design And Methods: The predictive power of 8 factors was examined via transforming and combining the effect sizes to yield a weighted average effect size for each factor.

Results: The results indicated that the majority of effect sizes, although significant, were inconsistent across the studies, yielding little conclusive evidence.

Psychosocial factors associated with fall-related hip fractures.

Background: fall-related injuries in older people are a major public health concern. This study examined the relationship between psychosocial determinants of healthy ageing and risk of fall-related hip fracture in community-dwelling older people. The purpose was to contribute evidence for promotion of healthy ageing strategies in population-based interventions for fall injury prevention.

The effect of an algorithm-based sedation guideline on the duration of mechanical ventilation in an Australian intensive care unit.

Objective: To examine the effect of an algorithm-based sedation guideline developed in a North American intensive care unit (ICU) on the duration of mechanical ventilation of patients in an Australian ICU.

Design And Setting: The intervention was tested in a pre-intervention, post-intervention comparative investigation in a 14-bed adult intensive care unit.

Patients: Adult mechanically ventilated patients were selected consecutively (n=322).

Health-protective behaviours and risk of fall-related hip fractures: a population-based case-control study.

Background: Fall-related hip fractures are one of the most common causes of disability and mortality in older age. The study aimed to quantify the relationship between lifestyle behaviours and the risk of fall-related hip fracture in community-dwelling older people. The purpose was to contribute evidence for the promotion of healthy ageing as a population-based intervention for falls injury prevention.