Citation

Anstey R, Kongsted A, Kamper S, Hancock M. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2016; 46(10): 894-901.

Affiliation

Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Orthopaedic Section and Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2519/jospt.2016.6588

PMID

27594663

Abstract

Study Design Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study with cross sectional and longitudinal analyses. Background The clinical importance of a history of whiplash associated disorder (WAD) in people with neck pain remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE To compare people with WAD to people with non-specific neck pain, in terms of their baseline characteristics, and pain and disability outcomes over 1 year.

METHODS Consecutive patients with neck pain presenting to a secondary care spine centre answered a comprehensive self-report questionnaire and underwent a physical examination. Patients were classified into either WAD or non-specific neck pain groups. We compared the outcomes of baseline characteristics of the 2 groups, as well as pain intensity and activity limitation at 6 and 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS 2578 participants were included in the study. Of these 488 (19%) were classified as having WAD. At presentation patients with WAD were statistically different to patients without WAD for almost all characteristics investigated. While most differences were small (1.1 points on an 11-point pain rating scale and 11 percentage points on the Neck Disability Index) others including the presence of dizziness and memory difficulties were substantial. The between group differences in pain and disability increased significantly (P<.001) over 12 months. At 12-month follow-up the patients with WAD on average had approximately 2 points more pain and 16 percentage points more disability than those with non-specific neck pain.

CONCLUSION People referred to secondary care with WAD were typically more severely affected on self-reported health than those with non-specific neck pain, and also experienced worse outcomes. Caution is required interpreting the longitudinal outcomes due to lower than optimal follow-up rates. Level of Evidence Prognosis, level 2. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 3 Sep 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6588.

Language: en