Whiplash injuries from car accidents in a Swedish middle-sized town during 1993-95.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence of whiplash associated disorders (WAD) after minor whiplash injuries in car accidents.


METHODS
A cohort defined by means of a health-care-based registration of traffic injuries and followed up by postal questionnaire after 12 months.


METHODS
Primary and hospital care in a Swedish middle-sized town (approx. 80,000 inhabitants) during 2 years in the period 1993-1995.


METHODS
Incidence of WAD, duration of symptoms and sick leave.


RESULTS
A total of 485 injured car occupants were identified; 158 had a WAD with no difference between the sexes. The incidence was estimated to be 1/1000 inhabitants and year. The response rate to the questionnaire was 79% (125/158). In 64 cases, symptoms lasted 6 weeks and in 30 cases more than 6 months. Forty individuals (32%) reported sick leave exceeding 4 weeks in 15 cases. Seven persons (5.6%) were still on sick leave at follow-up. The duration of symptoms and sick leave was similar for men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
Relatively few cases of WAD reported long-term sick leave. More cases reported chronic symptoms.
Herrström
P
P
Primary Care Centre Hertig Knut, Central Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden.
Lannerbro-Geijer
G
G
Högstedt
B
B
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*