Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate acute whiplash-associated disorder in the Lithuanian
population who are unaware of the phenomenon. DESIGN: Controlled cohort study.
SUBJECTS : Seventy-one patients were enrolled from the emergency
departments of the Kaunas region of Lithuania following road traffic accidents,
examined within 3-14 days after the accident, and compared with 53 matched
controls. METHODS: Clinical neurological examination, including range of motion
and motion-evoked pain or stiffness in the neck; spontaneous pain and pain
pressure threshold. Questionnaires: Quebec Task Force questionnaire (QTFQ);
Disability Rating Index (DRI); Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ); Hospital
Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and health perception. RESULTS: Sixty-six of
71 (93%) patients developed acute symptoms. The most frequent symptoms found
after road traffic accidents were neck or shoulder pain; reduced or painful neck
movements, including decreased range of motion; multiple subjective symptoms
according to QTFQ and significantly reduced pain threshold. Perceived health
status was decreased and DRI was increased, while HADS showed a significantly
higher risk of developing anxiety. Higher grade whiplash-associated disorder was
linked with a greater reduction in range of motion and more prominent neck pain.
CONCLUSION: Road traffic accidents induce whiplash-associated disorder in
patients who seek help, but who are unaware of the condition whiplash-associated
disorder. Whiplash-associated disorder should be considered and treated as an
entity per se.

Langue : ANGLAIS