Prevalence and long-term disability following whiplash-associated disorder

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of whiplash-associated disorder [WAD]. Methods: Emergency admission data for motor vehicle collisions from the Hope Hospital in Manchester, United Kingdom were analyzed from 1982 to 1997. From 1995, whiplash-associated disorders were classified into WAD 1, 2, 3 for their incidence, along with the prevalence of nervousness in these patients. Results: In 1982, seat-belt legislation was introduced, the next year, the prevalence of WAD rose 268%. It subsequently continued to rise at an alarming rate averaging 152% yearly for the next 15 years. The compound percent yearly rise from 1982 to 1990 for all patients involved in road traffic accidents was 7.2% per annum, and for WAD cases 34%. From 1990 to 1997 the road traffic accidents rose compound 12.8%, and for WAD 14%. Among patients classified into WAD grades who were not nervous, WAD 1 and 2 had the best rate of recovery at six months. Among nervous patients, the incidence of recovery for WAD 2 and 3 at six months was reduced from WAD 1. Conclusions: In hospital emergency room admissions, the whiplash incidence has risen at a very high yearly rate, far in excess of general road traffic accident cases. The reasons are probably multiple, and complex. Nervousness among WAD patients appeared to hinder the rate of recovery.