Early multidisciplinary evaluation and advice was ineffective for whiplash-associated disorders.

Background: Whiplash is the most common type of injury reported in traffic accidents, but the effectiveness of conservative treatment for whiplash lacks evidence.

Aims: To assess the effect of early multidisciplinary evaluation and advice on the frequency of chronic neck pain three years post-injury in persons with minor or moderate traffic injuries.

Methods: In an insurance setting, we tested the effect by (1) a risk score matched prospective cohort design, (2) a propensity score matched nested case-control design and, (3) a risk and propensity score adjusted multivariate analysis in an unmatched prospective cohort design.

Prognostic factors for chronic neck pain in persons with minor or moderate injuries in traffic accidents.

Prognostic factors for chronic neck pain were identified in a prospective Norwegian insurance cohort comprising 636 persons with minor or moderate traffic injuries. One questionnaire was used at baseline and another at 3 years post-injury. Daily severe or very severe neck pain at three years follow up was defined as chronic neck pain.