PAIN AND PSYCHOLOGIC SYMPTOMS OF AUSTRALIAN PATIENTS WITH WHIPLASH

Study Design. A survey of pain intensity and psychological symptoms in patients with chronic neck pain after whiplash injury. Objectives. To describe the pain and psychological profiles of patients with chronic whiplash. Summary of Background Data. Reports in the literature menti on 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 patient s with chronic neck pain after a motor vehicle accident were studied u sing the SCL-90-R psychological profile and the McGill Pain Questionna ire. Results. Psychological profiles and pain intensity ratings, simil ar to profiles obtained from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthri tis and low back pain of organic origin, were obtained. Conclusions. T he SCL-90-R is a convenient instrument to administer to patients with whiplash. It yielded a characteristic profile of pain and appears to b e more expedient than other psychometric tests for these patients.