Long-term health effects of unintentional injuries in Danish adults.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of self-reported health effects of unintentional injuries in the adult Danish population, including the limitation of daily activities and perceived general health.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

In the 2005 National Health and Morbidity Survey in Denmark, 14,566 adults aged 16 years or more were asked about long-term health effects of unintentional injuries. Those reporting long-term health effects were asked about the type and duration of these effects and the accompanying limitation of their daily activities. Information on the external causes of injury was obtained by linking the interview data to the National Patient Register.

RESULTS

In total, 1,058 respondents (7.3%) reported health effects of injuries. Among these, 336 (2.3%) reported considerable limitations in their daily activities. Those reporting health effects also reported poor health in general. The most severe health effects affected the head, neck and back, as well as multiple body parts. Those injuries that entailed the most severe health effects were caused by traffic injuries and falls.

CONCLUSION

Long-term effects of injuries are prevalent in the adult population and most can be attributed to falls and traffic injuries. Back injuries and multiple injuries had the largest influence on perceived health.

FUNDING: The work was supported by TrygFonden grant no. 7585-07.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.