National health insurance consumption and chronic symptoms following mild neck sprain injuries in car collisions.

OBJECTIVE

To map the extent of sick leave and number of claims made for health insurance among persons who had suffered neck sprain (whiplash) injuries in traffic accidents, and to map subjective feeling of health and quality of life among patients several years after the injury.

DESIGN

A retrospective study of neck sprain injuries after car accidents and a comparison to the patients' use of sick leave caused by neck pain prior to the accident.

SETTING

The Emergency Clinic at The University Hospital in Trondheim, Norway.

SUBJECTS

426 patients with neck sprain injuries after car accidents during 1985-1990.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Information from Trondheim Social Security office about sick leave, and results from 345 patients who answered a questionnaire with respect to quality of life measures.

RESULTS

27% had been reported sick during the period after the car accident, and 5% had claimed health insurance, 58% reported sustained symptoms linked to the accident.

CONCLUSIONS

Many reported sustained symptoms after neck sprain injuries, 16% of them reported being in a bad state of health.