Multivariate Prognostic Model of Whiplash Chronification - Abstract
Objective: To study the pronostic factors involved in the chronification of whiplash.
Methods: The study includes 50 patients who had suffered a whiplash during the previous 24 hours. A clinical and posturographic assessment was performed and clinical questionnaires were completed. An analitical observational study was carried out in a 2-year follow-up to evaluate the role of clinical and posturographical variables in chronicity.
Results: A positive and significant relationship was observed between the HADS anxiety subscale and delayed resolution. The age, the presence of anxiety and the sweep areas (Romberg eyes open and eyes closed) were independently and significantly associated with the probability of chronification. From these results a multivariate model of chronification is generated which shows a high prognostic capacity with an area under the ROC curve of 0.89 (95%CI 0.76-1).
Conclusion: In this study, the prognostic factors of whiplash are: age, sweep area in Romberg eyes open and eyes closed and anxiety evaluated before 24 hours after the accident.