Article

Objective: To establish trends in whiplash-related health service use and cost in Victoria, Australia. Design: Administrative data analysis. Subjects: Whiplash
patients claiming Transport Accident Commission (TAC) compensation for accidents
dating between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2009 (n = 51,263). Methods: Injury-related health service use during one year following the accident was
determined from claim payment records. The incidence of whiplash claims in
Victoria was calculated, as were inflation-adjusted health care costs. Results:
In 2000-2009, the incidence of compensable whiplash decreased from 1.56 to 1.14
per 1,000 person-years. Physiotherapy, pharmaceuticals, general practitioner,
chiro-practic, radiology and osteopathy sessions were the most commonly claimed
services. General practitioner, allied health and radiology services decreased,
but analgesic use increased. Per person-years in the population, whiplash-related
medical expenses were 71% greater for women than men. Overall, population burden
decreased by 38%; the decline was most pronounced in persons aged 18-24 (54%
decrease) and least pronounced in those aged >/= 55 (23% decrease). Conclusion:
The population-based health service cost of whiplash decreased between 2000 and
2009. The overall reduction was related to a decrease in incidence and a reduction in service use per whiplash claim.

Langue : ANGLAIS