A systematic review on the influence of pre-existing disability on sustaining injury

Abstract

Objective: To systematically review studies measuring the influence of pre-existing disability on the risk of sustaining an injury.

Design: Systematic review.

Data sources: Electronic databases searched included Medline (Pubmed), ProQuest, Ovid and EMBASE.

Inclusion criteria: Studies (1990-2010) in international peer-reviewed journals were identified with main inclusion criteria being that the study assessed involvement of injury sustained by persons with and without pre-existing disability.

Methods: Studies were collated by design and methods, and evaluation of results.

Results: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria of our review. All studies found that persons with disabilities were at a significantly higher risk of sustaining injuries than those without. Persons with disability had a 30-450% increased odds (odds ratio 1.3-5.5) of sustaining injury compared to persons without disability. Among persons with pre-existing disability, the high risk groups of sustaining an injury are children and elderly.

Conclusions: People with disabilities experience a higher risk to sustain an injury in comparison to the healthy population. There is a high need for large epidemiological studies of injury among persons with disability, to better address these unique risk profiles in order to prevent additional disability or secondary conditions.

Keywords: Hearing; Injury; Mobility; Pre-existing disability; Speaking; Visual.