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 mention 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 patients with chronic neck pain after a motor vehicle accident were studied using the SCL-90-R psychological profile and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS Psychological profiles and pain intensity ratings, similar to profiles obtained from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain of organic origin, were obtained. CONCLUSIONS The SCL-90-R is a convenient instrument to administer to patients with whiplash. It yielded a characteristic profile of pain and appears to be more expedient than other psychometric tests for these patients.