Neck sprain in patients injured in car accidents: a retrospective study covering the period 1970-1994.

During the 25-year period 1970-1994 694 patients were diagnosed with neck sprain resulting from a car accident at the Emergency Room of the University Hospital Groningen. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the prevalence, groups at risk and trends in these patients, taking into account changes in the number of cars per inhabitant and the average number of kilometres driven. We defined the population as car accident victims diagnosed with neck sprain. Binominal tests were used to obtain measures of statistical significance. Over the 25-year period a steady increase in the number of these patients was observed, from 10 in 1970 to 122 in 1994. The highest prevalence was found for the age group 25- to 29-year olds (28.3 per 100,000), followed by 40- to 44-year-olds (27.9 per 100,000). Across the life span, the male: female ratio was 1: 0.98. Eight percent of the victims were treated as inpatients. The increase in the number of car accident victims with neck sprain appears not to be an isolated phenomenon, because a parallel rise in the number of cars per inhabitant and in the average number of kilometres driven was found. No direct relation was observed between seat belt legislation and the increase in neck sprain injuries. The effect of the media on awareness of the consequences of car accidents is discussed.