The prevalence and risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder following road traffic accidents in China: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES

While the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after road traffic accidents (RTA) has been widely studied, there is a gap in research in the context of China. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a pooled estimation of PTSD prevalence after RTA based on Chinese data and compare it to existing international prevalence.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of English and Chinese databases was performed from their inception dates to December 31, 2024. Chinese patients admitted to a hospital or emergency department after RTA, and without traumatic brain injury following RTA or without PTSD before RTA were included, regardless of type of RTA and whether fracture was sustained. Subgroup analyses were performed on the basis on demographics, assessment methods, income, and comorbidity.

RESULTS

The inclusion criteria were met by 21 studies. The pooled prevalence of acute stress disorder (ASD) and PTSD was 30% (95% CI, 22%-37%) and 27% (95% CI,22%-32%), respectively, which is higher than the global prevalence of 16% ASD and 22% PTSD. The transition rate of ASD to PTSD was 77% (95% CI, 63%-91%). Females, older adults, and those with lower income had a higher prevalence of PTSD. In addition, the prevalence of PTSD increased with age. Older survivors with comorbidities including anxiety, depression, complication (such as pain, hemorrhagic shock, hypoxemia), diabetes, and hypertension were more likely to suffer from PTSD than older survivors without those comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

PTSD after RTA is common, with more than one in four RTA survivors reporting PTSD. Pooled prevalence was higher than that of meta-analysis that had no restrictions on world region.