The role of selected variables in the diagnosis of cervical derangement syndromes.

BACKGROUND The study analyzed correlations between selected variables in cervical derangement syndromes. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed data from 63 patients regarding pain (VAS, McGill Pain Questionnaire), mobility (CROM goniometer), dizziness, nausea, the duration of the current episode, and the number of previous episodes (history). Student's t and chi(2) tests and Pearson's r correlation were used. RESULTS Overall pain intensity correlated positively with the indexes of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the duration of the current episode, intensity of the proximal and distal symptoms and negatively with protraction or extension. Headache correlated positively with neck pain and negatively with retraction. Neck pain cor-related negatively with multiple cervical movements and positively with intensity of the distal symptoms. A positive relationship between shoulder and upper limb pain was observed. Patients with higher overall pain intensity or lower shoulder pain intensity experienced dizziness more often. The duration of the current episode correlated positively with the number of previous episodes, the frequency of nausea, limited extension and limited protraction. Nausea coexisted with dizziness and reduced protraction. The degree of flexion restriction correlated positively with the number of previous episodes. CONCLUSIONS 1. Overall and proximal pain intensity, mobility of the cervical spine, the duration of the current episode and dizziness are useful in diagnosis of cervical derangement syndromes. 2. Intensity of the distal symptoms, the number of previous episodes and nausea should be particularly monitored.