Pain and psychologic symptoms of Australian patients with whiplash.
METHODS
A survey of pain intensity and psychological symptoms in patients with chronic neck pain after whiplash injury.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the pain and psychological profiles of patients with chronic whiplash.


BACKGROUND
Reports in the literature mention a constellation of symptoms associated with chronic whiplash injury but no systematic survey using objective patient report measures has been reported.


METHODS
One hundred forty consecutive referred patients with chronic neck pain after a motor vehicle accident were studied using the SCL-90-R psychological profile and the McGill Pain Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Psychological profiles and pain intensity ratings, similar to profiles obtained from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain of organic origin, were obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
The SCL-90-R is a convenient instrument to administer to patients with whiplash. It yielded a characteristic profile of pain and appears to be more expedient than other psychometric tests for these patients.
Wallis
B J
BJ
Cervical Spine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia.
Lord
S M
SM
Barnsley
L
L
Bogduk
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000523:psychology*