PAIN AND FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE: IMPACT IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.

Introduction: The problem of road traffic accidents is increasingly becoming a threat to public health and national development in many developing countries. Road traffic accidents contribute to poverty by causing deaths, injuries, disabilities, grief, loss of productivity and material damages. Objective: To investigate the relationship between pain and functional independence in patients injured in road traffic accidents. Method: 30 road side accidental patients both males and females, aged 18-50 years were assessed for pain and functional independence by Visual Analogue Scale and Barthel Index Score respectively. Results: After statistical analysis, it was found that there was a statistically significant correlation between the pain and functional independence. The r value is -0.791 which indicates significant correlation. Conclusion: There is significant inverse correlation between pain and functional independence in patients in road traffic accidents. Hence it has been concluded that with the increase in the pain the functional independency decreases. So, for the better prognosis treatment of the pain should be considered.