Prognostic Factors Associated With Minimal Improvement Following Acute Whiplash-Associated Disorders.

Dufton, John A. DC; Kopec, Jacek A. MD; Wong, Hubert; Cassidy, J David; Quon, Jeffrey; Mcintosh, Greg; Koehoorn, Mieke

The objective of this study was to identify the prognostic factors associated with a poor response to treatment in the early stages of a whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). Multivariable analysis revealed eight prognostic factors associated with a negative outcome: 1) older age, 2) female gender, 3) increasing lag time between injury date and presentation for treatment, 4) initial pain location, 5) province of injury, 6) higher initial pain intensity, 7) lawyer involvement, and 8) at work at entry to the clinic. The authors concluded that researchers and clinicians should be aware of the potential for non-injury-related factors to delay recovery, and be aware of the interaction between the initial intensity of a patient's pain and other covariates when confirming these results.

Spine. 31(20):E759-E765, September 15, 2006.

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