Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Resulting from Road Traffic Accidents (RTA): A Systematic Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Trauma Psychology
• Public Health
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major global cause of physical injury and psychological distress.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a frequent consequence for RTA survivors, impacting their long-term well-being.
• Understanding PTSD prevalence, predictors, comorbidities, and effective treatments is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the prevalence, predictors, comorbidity, and treatment of PTSD in adult RTA survivors.
• To synthesize findings from diverse studies using rigorous evaluation methods.
• To inform policy and clinical practice regarding psychological care after RTAs.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines was conducted across four major electronic databases.
• Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed articles and theses reporting PTSD in adult RTA survivors (≥18 years).
• Data were synthesized thematically due to heterogeneity, drawing from 96 studies involving 50,275 participants, assessed using the LEGEND framework.

Main Results:

• PTSD prevalence varied widely, from 20% (DSM-5) to over 45% (ICD-10) within six weeks post-RTA.
• One-year prevalence ranged from 17.9% to 29.8%, with over half experiencing persistent symptoms up to three years.
• Comorbid depression and anxiety were common; 25% avoided driving for up to four months post-accident.

Conclusions:

• Nearly half of RTA survivors experience PTSD, with symptom persistence common for several years.
• Evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Virtual Reality (VR), and Memory Flexibility training (Mem-Flex) show significant efficacy.
• Policy recommendations include mandatory psychological screening, improved data sharing for integrated care, and family support for RTA comorbidities.