Factors predicting outcome in whiplash injury: a systematic meta-review of prognostic factors

• Published in: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 9 - 16
• Main Authors: Sarrami, Pooria, Armstrong, Elizabeth, Naylor, Justine M., Harris, Ian A.
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-03-2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic; Conservative Orthopedics; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Orthopedics; Review; Review Article; Rheumatology; Risk Factors; Sports Medicine; Surgical Orthopedics; Traumatic Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Whiplash Injuries - etiology; Whiplash Injuries - therapy; Psycho-social factors; Physical factors; Prognosis; Motor vehicle accidents; Acute whiplash injury; Whiplash injury; Outcome prediction; Prognostic factors; Risk factors; Meta-review
• ISSN: 1590-9921; 1590-9999
• DOI: 10.1007/s10195-016-0431-x

Background
Whiplash injuries are among the leading injuries related to car crashes and it is important to determine the prognostic factors that predict the outcome of patients with these injuries. This meta-review aims to identify factors that are associated with outcome after acute whiplash injury.
Materials and methods
A systematic search for all systematic reviews on outcome prediction of acute whiplash injury was conducted across several electronic databases. The search was limited to publications in English, and there were no geographical or time of publication restrictions. Quality appraisal was conducted with A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews.
Results
The initial search yielded 207 abstracts; of these, 195 were subsequently excluded by topic or method. Twelve systematic reviews with moderate quality were subsequently included in the analysis. Post-injury pain and disability, whiplash grades, cold hyperalgesia, post-injury anxiety, catastrophizing, compensation and legal factors, and early healthcare use were associated with continuation of pain and disability in patients with whiplash injury. Post-injury magnetic resonance imaging or radiographic findings, motor dysfunctions, or factors related to the collision were not associated with continuation of pain and disability in patients with whiplash injury. Evidence on demographic and three psychological factors and prior pain was conflicting, and there is a shortage of evidence related to the significance of genetic factors.
Conclusions
This meta-review suggests an association between initial pain and anxiety and the outcome of acute whiplash injury, and less evidence for an association with physical factors.
Level of evidence
Level 1.