Abstract
Background and aims:
Few subjects provoke such a diversity of opinion as whiplash associated disorder (WAD). Regardless, WAD is a public health issue with significant socio-economic costs. The aim of this study was to identify variables that predict the development of chronic WAD.
Methods: Prospective cohort study of patients presenting to an urban emergency department (ED) with road traffic collision (RTC) related neck pain. Patients had a detailed history and physical examination and a range of outcome measures and psychometric testing were performed.  They were reviewed at 1 and 2 months and those with persisting pain reviewed at 3 and 5 months. The results obtained in the acute and chronic groups were compared.  
Results: 159 people participated. 114 (72%), had symptoms that resolved in 2 months and 45 (28%) had neck pain lasting > 2 months.
There were no collision specific or demographic factors that predicted chronicity. There was a significant association between a past history of chronic pain (p < 0.0001) and previous major emotional life event (p <0.0001) and the development of chronic WAD. A comparison of baseline psychological variables revealed higher scores for the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Digit Span, PASAT and Connors’ CPT (p < 0.0001 in each case) in the chronic group compared with the acute group.
Conclusion: The greatest predictors of chronic WAD were; past history of chronic pain and traumatic life event and higher scores on the psychological tests which may be helpful in identifying those at risk of chronicity for targeted interventions.

09 - AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE IDENTIFICATION OF PREDICTORS OF CHRONIC PAIN AFTER WHIPLASH INJURY