Association between fault status and orthopaedic injury patient-reported EQ-5D item, GOS-E and return to work outcomes at 12 months postinjury—multivariable analysis results (Victoria, Australia 2010–2014)
| Outcome at 12 months | Fault category | N | N (%) with outcome | ARR* (95% CI) | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete functional recovery | At fault (reference) | 1026 | 246 (24.0) | 1 | |
| Admits fault | 81 | 14 (17.3) | 0.67 (0.39 to 1.14) | 0.14 | |
| Denies fault | 169 | 23 (13.6) | 0.52 (0.35 to 0.76) | 0.001 | |
| Not at fault | 996 | 160 (16.1) | 0.57 (0.46 to 0.69) | <0.001 | |
| Return to work† | At fault (reference) | 780 | 549 (70.4) | 1 | |
| Admits fault | 54 | 36 (66.7) | 1.04 (0.86 to 1.26) | 0.69 | |
| Denies fault | 119 | 83 (69.7) | 0.93 (0.82 to 1.05) | 0.24 | |
| Not at fault | 730 | 498 (68.2) | 0.92 (0.86 to 0.99) | 0.03 | |
| EQ-5D-3L mobility item | At fault (reference) | 1016 | 355 (34.9) | 1 | |
| Admits fault | 79 | 38 (48.1) | 1.43 (1.11 to 1.83) | 0.01 | |
| Denies fault | 166 | 74 (44.6) | 1.31 (1.09 to 1.57) | 0.004 | |
| Not at fault | 991 | 436 (44.0) | 1.39 (1.24 to 1.56) | <0.001 | |
| EQ-5D-3L self-care item | At fault (reference) | 1010 | 172 (17.0) | 1 | |
| Admits fault | 78 | 20 (25.6) | 1.41 (0.94 to 2.12) | 0.09 | |
| Denies fault | 165 | 40 (24.2) | 1.45 (1.05 to 2.01) | 0.02 | |
| Not at fault | 989 | 207 (20.9) | 1.15 (0.93 to 1.42) | 0.20 | |
| EQ-5D-3L usual activities item | At fault (reference) | 1016 | 536 (52.8) | 1 | |
| Admits fault | 79 | 49 (62.0) | 1.21 (1.01 to 1.45) | 0.04 | |
| Denies fault | 166 | 110 (66.3) | 1.32 (1.16 to 1.51) | <0.001 | |
| Not at fault | 990 | 645 (65.2) | 1.29 (1.19 to 1.40) | <0.001 | |
| EQ-5D-3L pain or discomfort item | At fault (reference) | 1003 | 551 (54.9) | 1 | |
| Admits fault | 78 | 57 (73.1) | 1.27 (1.09 to 1.49) | 0.002 | |
| Denies fault | 160 | 102 (63.8) | 1.20 (1.05 to 1.38) | 0.01 | |
| Not at fault | 975 | 658 (67.5) | 1.26 (1.16 to 1.36) | <0.001 | |
| EQ-5D-3L anxiety or depression item | At fault (reference) | 1015 | 390 (38.4) | 1 | |
| Admits fault | 79 | 42 (53.2) | 1.28 (1.02 to 1.61) | 0.03 | |
| Denies fault | 166 | 79 (47.6) | 1.31 (1.10 to 1.57) | 0.003 | |
| Not at fault | 985 | 458 (46.5) | 1.24 (1.10 to 1.40) | 0.001 | |
| Fault category | N | Mean (SD) | Adjusted change from at fault group | p Value | |
| EQ-5D-3L summary score | At fault (reference) | 996 | 0.72 (0.28) | 0 | |
| Admits fault | 77 | 0.63 (0.30) | −0.06 (−0.13 to 0.002) | 0.06 | |
| Denies fault | 159 | 0.66 (0.30) | −0.07 (−0.12 to −0.03) | 0.002 | |
| Not at fault | 966 | 0.65 (0.30) | −0.09 (−0.11 to −0.06) | <0.001 | |
*Adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, education level, geographic remoteness, whether patient was major trauma, prior work history, orthopaedic injury group, head injury, chest/abdominal injury, other injury and cause of injury.
†If working for income prior to injury.
ARR, adjusted relative risk; GOS-E, Glasgow Outcome Scale—Extended.