Presence and predictors of persistent pain among persons who sustained an injury in a road traffic crash

Background There is a paucity of prospective studies with long follow‐up that have examined a wide range of correlates associated with persistent pain outcomes in persons who sustained a mild or moderate injury in a road traffic crash. This study aimed to establish the independent predictors of pain severity over 24 months. Methods A total of 364, 284 and 252 persons with mild/moderate musculoskeletal injuries sustained in a vehicle‐related crash participated in telephone interviews in the subacute phase, and at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The numeric rating scale ( NRS ) assessed pain severity. P ain‐ R elated S elf‐ S tatements S cale‐ C atastrophizing ( PRSS ‐ C atastrophizing) and the Short Form O rebro M usculoskeletal P ain S creening Q uestionnaire ( OMPSQ ) were also administered. Results After multivariable adjustment, each 1 SD increase in Short Form‐12 Physical Component Score ( SF ‐12 PCS ) in the subacute phase was associated with 0.73 ( p  = 0.002) and 1.11 ( p  < 0.0001) decrease in NRS scores after 12 and 24 months, respectively. Each unit increase in the PRSS ‐Catastrophizing score in the subacute phase was associated with 0.54 ( p  = 0.001) and 0.43 ( p  = 0.03) increase in NRS scores 12 and 24 months later, respectively. Subacute phase OMPSQ scores were positively associated with NRS scores at 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐ups ( p  < 0.0001). Conclusions Self‐perceived physical well‐being, pain‐related work disability and pain catastrophizing could play a role in determining long‐term pain‐related outcomes following traffic‐related injuries.