Describing long-term postinjury outcomes for older New Zealanders

Objectives

Internationally, little is known about long-term postinjury outcomes among older adults. This report describes older adults' injury-related, disability and physical and psychosocial characteristics 12 years postinjury, including for older Māori (Māori are the Indigenous people of New Zealand).

Methods

The Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS) recruited 2856 New Zealanders, injured between 2007 and 2009. Interviews were conducted 3, 12 and 24 months postinjury. Twelve years postinjury, 1543 participants completed a follow-up interview. Data were analysed for 833 adults (98 Māori) aged greater than 55 years fora range of domains, including disability (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II; WHODAS), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), psychological distress (Kessler-6) and life satisfaction 12 years postinjury.

Results

Twelve years postinjury, 49% reported ongoing problems with their injury. Considerable disability (WHODAS ≥ 10) was reported by 20% overall, and by 29% of Māori. Almost two-thirds (65%) reported problems with EQ-5D-5L (e.g. 57% reported pain or discomfort and 33% reported mobility problems). The EQ-5D-5L and most WHODAS outcomes did not differ between age groups; however, a higher proportion of participants aged 55–64 years reported difficulties maintaining a friendship (10%) compared to those aged greater than 70 years (4%). A higher proportion of those aged greater than 70 years reported ‘excellent/very good’ health (64%) and no trouble accessing health care (88%) compared to those aged 55–64 years (51% and 80%).

Conclusions

Descriptive findings suggest older adults experience long-term problems with mobility, and pain and discomfort postinjury; however, considerable disability did not differ between age groups.