Reazione psicopatologica post-traumatica da « colpo di frusta » della cofonna cervicale: impostazione concettuale e studio «ad interim»

Background. The neuropsychiatric sequelae ol road accidents may encompass anxiety and depression, in some cases yielding to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The presence of post-traumatic psychopathology has been assessed in a group of whiplash injured patients consisting of 51 cases attending an orthopaedic clinic (mean time from accident: 58 days). Methods. Psychopathological evaluation was made as follows: Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Results. Results showed moderately high anxiety levels (mean STAI 1 scores 37,902; DS 9,665 and mean STAI 2 scores 39,510; DS 10,657). Specific post traumatic symptoms were also detected (IES-R mean scores total 20,765; SD 14,551; Intrusion: 0,894; Avoidance: 0,853; Iperarousal 1,132). All three IES-R subscales were significantly correlated with HAMA and HAMD. Conclusions. Hypervigilance was particularly correlated with STAI 1 and HAMD indicating a possible neurovegetative activation after the traumatic event.