Does physical trauma lead to an increase in the risk of new onset widespread pain?. Issue 3 (13th July 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wynne-Jones, G; Macfarlane, G J; Silman, A J; Jones, G T
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 65:Issue 3(2006)
• Page Start: 391
• Page End: 393
• Publication Date: 2005-07-13
• Subjects: GHQ, General Health Questionnaire -- SF-8, Health Status Short-Form 8 -- SSC, Somatic Symptoms Checklist -- WP, widespread pain; fibromyalgia -- pain -- trauma; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.2005.037531
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To determine the rate of new onset of widespread pain after a traumatic event (motor vehicle crash). Methods: A prospective cohort study of persons registered with an insurance company who had or had not experienced a motor vehicle crash. All participants were sent a questionnaire to assess pre-crash (or for the non-crash group, prior) psychosocial factors and widespread pain. Participants reporting pre-crash (prior) widespread pain were excluded. At six months, participants were sent a follow up questionnaire to ascertain new prevalent widespread pain. Results: 597 (51%) of participants returned a baseline questionnaire (465 crash and 132 non-crash). Among the cohort who had experienced a crash, the new onset rate of widespread pain six months later was low (8%), though in comparison with the non-crash group there was an increased risk (RR = 1.9 (95% CI, 0.8 to 4.8, adjusted for age and sex)); this was attenuated after adjustment for pre-crash (prior) psychological distress and somatic symptoms (RR = 1.4 (95% CI, 0.5 to 3.2)). Conclusions: The findings suggest that a motor vehicle crash (as an example of a physically traumatic event) is unlikely to have a major impact on the new onset of widespread pain. Any observed relation may, in part, be explained by psychological distress.