Whiplash Following Rear End Collisions: A Prospective Cohort Study

Whiplash is defined as a symptom complex which is generally assumed to be a traumatic condition that follows a specific mechanism of injury. This article reports on a study undertaken to investigate the factors that predict neck pain initially and at 1 year following a rear end collision. The authors stress the importance of including all participants in a specific type of accident, rather than just those who present for medical treatment for whiplash. The authors identified all people who reported a rear end collision to the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary (England). The main outcome measures lasting for more than a week after the accident and neck pain at least 1 day a week at 1 year. A total of 1,147 people reported rear end collisions to the police during the study period and 503 (44%) agreed to take part in the study. Of the respondents, 78% had neck pain lasting for more than a week and 52% still had pain at 1 year. Age and prior history of neck pain were the most important predictors of early neck pain. The most important predictors of pain at 1 year were the initial neck visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and the presence of a compensation claim. There was only weak evidence that the severity of the impact was associated with outcomes. The authors conclude with a brief discussion of the interrelationship between compensation claims and recovery from whiplash.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00223050
• Authors:
  • Pobereskin, L H
• Publication Date: 2005-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1146-1151
• Serial:
  • Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
  • Volume: 76
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: British Medical Association
  • ISSN: 0022-3050

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash injuries; Demographics; Injury severity; Legal action; Neck; Rear end crashes; Whiplash
• Uncontrolled Terms: Compensation claims; Long term complications
• Geographic Terms: Cornwall (England); Devon (England)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01010585
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 28 2005 9:10AM