title: Incidence and predictors of chronic headache attributed to whiplash injury.
abstract: We identified clinical, demographic and psychological predictive factors that may contribute to the development of chronic headache associated with mild to moderate whiplash injury [Quebec Task Force (QTF) ≤ II] and determined the incidence of this chronic pain state. Patients were recruited prospectively from six participating accident and emergency departments. While 4.6% of patients developed chronic headache attributed to whiplash injury according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edn criteria, 15.2% of patients complained about headache lasting > 42 days (QTF criteria). Predictive factors were pre-existing facial pain [odds ratio (OR) 9.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1, 10.4; P = 0.017], lack of confidence to recover completely (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.0, 13.2; P = 0.005), sore throat (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.5, 8.9; P = 0.013), medication overuse (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4, 12.3; P = 0.009), high Neck Disability Index (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.3, 12.6; P = 0.019), hopelessness/anxiety (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.3, 8.7; P = 0.024), and depression (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.2, 9.4; P = 0.024). The lack of a control group limits the conclusions that can be drawn from this study. Identified predictors closely resemble those found in chronic primary headache disorders.
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Obermann
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Nebel
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Riegel
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Thiemann
authors: M-S
authors: MS
authors: Yoon
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Keidel
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Stude
authors: Hc
authors: H
authors: Diener
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Katsarava
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult