Relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and the course of whiplash complaints.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (avoidance, reexperiencing, and hyperarousal) and the presence, severity, and duration of neck complaints after motor vehicle accidents.


METHODS
Individuals who had been involved in traffic accidents and had initiated compensation claim procedures with a Dutch insurance company were sent questionnaires (Q1) containing complaint-related questions and the Self-Rating Scale for PTSD. Of the 997 questionnaires that were dispatched, 617 (62%) were returned. Only car accident victims were included in this study (n=240). Complaints were monitored using additional questionnaires that were administered 6 months (Q2) and 12 months (Q3) after the accident.


RESULTS
PTSD was related to the presence and severity of concurrent post-whiplash syndrome. More specifically, the intensity of hyperarousal symptoms that were related to PTSD at Q1 was found to have predictive validity for the persistence and severity of post-whiplash syndrome at 6 and 12 months follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Results are consistent with the idea that PTSD hyperarousal symptoms have a detrimental influence on the recovery and severity of whiplash complaints following car accidents.
Buitenhuis
Jan
J
Medical Department, Univé Insurance The Netherlands. j.buitenhuis@unive.nl
de Jong
Peter J
PJ
Jaspers
Jan P C
JP
Groothoff
Johan W
JW
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D015897:Comorbidity; D035881:Compensation and Redress; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007346:Insurance, Accident; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*