Certain factors influence the odds that a whiplash sufferer with develop chronic headache, say scientists in Germany .The study tracked patients with mild to moderate whiplash. Specific predictive factors for chronic headache included pre-existing facial pain, pre-existing neck pain, lack of confidence to recover completely, sore throat, medication overuse, hopelessness, anxiety and depression.

However, the study’s authors note that “the lack of a control group limits the conclusions that can be drawn from this study. Identified predictors closely resemble those found in chronic primary headache disorders.”

Cephalgia –  August 2009;Epub.

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