Abstract
Background
Being involved in litigation is associated with poor outcomes, higher levels of pain, disability, catastrophising, fear-avoidance and other psychological factors. Poor access to treatments can contribute to chronicity of symptoms and poor outcomes, especially in patients involved in litigation with a longer time since the accident.
Purpose
To examine the relationship between time since the accident, access to treatments and current psychological variables.
Methods
Eleven patients completed the Pain Catastrophising Scale, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Zung Depression Inventory, Modified Somatic Perceptions Questionnaire as well as details about the accident, working status and recalled access to treatments. The results were analysed qualitatively and quantitavely.
Results
The mean time since the accident was 32 months and the mean measures are: ZDI (41.9±9.3), PCS (33.3±9.4), TSK (47.5±9.2), MSPQ (15±8.4). Eight subjects are not currently working and three are working part-time. There was a positive correlation between time since the accident and depression (r=0.679) and MSPQ (r=0.547) but not for other variables. Average sequence of recalled treatments is outlined.
Conclusion
Our results indicate that measures of depression and somatic perceptions keep increasing with time whereas catastrophising and kineshiophobia are relatively constant in a small group of litigants with spinal pain. The recalled treatments reflect a focus on invasive treatments with little long-term positive outcome and only one patient receiving the recommended combined physical and psychological programme.
I can confirm that this abstract has not previously been published in whole or substantial part nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting.
Conflicts of interest: No conflicts of interest
Source of funding: No funding obtained
