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Physical
- Not Emotional - Factors Predict Long-Term Problems After Whiplash
Injury
Published
November 1999
Reviewer: Richard E. Seroussi MD
Radanov B,Sturzenegger M,Di Stefano G. Long-term outcome after whiplash
injury.. Medicine 1995; 74:281-97.
Summary
- This well-designed
study confirms that about 20% of whiplash patients will have symptoms
at two years, with a poor chance of further recovery. This is
a fairly low estimate when compared to other studies, which place
this percentage closer to 40%.[2,3]
- Overall,
initial psychological profile is no different between those who
do and do not recover by two years time. Neuroticism, depression
and
pre-existing psychological problems do not appear to play a major
role in predicting recovery.
- Factors associated
with a lower chance of full recovery include older age, pre-existing
arthritis on neck x-rays, awkward head position at time of injury,
pre-existing history of headache, greater headache and neck pain
intensity within one week after injury, and initial subjective
complaints of sleep loss, forgetfulness, and anxiety. The authors
feel these subjective complaints reflect increased injury severity,
not an underlying psychological problem.
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