Whiplash Syndrome Reloaded: Digital Echoes of Whiplash Syndrome in the European Internet Search Engine Context

Abstract

BackgroundIn many Western countries, after a motor vehicle collision, those involved seek health care for the assessment of injuries and for insurance documentation purposes. In contrast, in many less wealthy countries, there may be limited access to care and no insurance or compensation system.ObjectiveThe purpose of this infodemiology study was to investigate the global pattern of evolving Internet usage in countries with and without insurance and the corresponding compensation systems for whiplash injury.MethodsWe used the Internet search engine analytics via Google Trends to study the health information-seeking behavior concerning whiplash injury at national population levels in Europe.ResultsWe found that the search for “whiplash” is strikingly and consistently often associated with the search for “compensation” in countries or cultures with a tort system. Frequent or traumatic painful injuries; diseases or disorders such as arthritis, headache, radius, and hip fracture; depressive disorders; and fibromyalgia were not associated similarly with searches on “compensation.”ConclusionsIn this study, we present evidence from the evolving viewpoint of naturalistic Internet search engine analytics that the expectations for receiving compensation may influence Internet search behavior in relation to whiplash injury.

The detection of malingering in whiplash-related injuries: a targeted literature review of the available strategies

“…The lack of demonstrable symptoms characterizing WAD, together with the peculiar context of the legal system, creates a situation in which policyholders may be particularly prone to exaggerate their symptomatology, motivated by the prospect of generous compensations [ 2 , 21 ]. To this regard, it is relevant to consider the discrepancies in chronic whiplash-related disability and compensation seeking across Europe: in those countries where compensation rates for whiplash injuries are high, chronic whiplash is highly prevalent [ 22 ]. In Germany, for instance, WADs represent the most common consequence of road traffic accidents, counting approximately 20,000 cases each year and costing insurance companies more than 500 million euro annually [ 22 ].…”

“…To this regard, it is relevant to consider the discrepancies in chronic whiplash-related disability and compensation seeking across Europe: in those countries where compensation rates for whiplash injuries are high, chronic whiplash is highly prevalent [ 22 ]. In Germany, for instance, WADs represent the most common consequence of road traffic accidents, counting approximately 20,000 cases each year and costing insurance companies more than 500 million euro annually [ 22 ]. Similarly, in Italy, it is estimated that the compensation for whiplash-related damages amounts to more than 2 million euro every year [ 3 ].…”

“…Similarly, in Italy, it is estimated that the compensation for whiplash-related damages amounts to more than 2 million euro every year [ 3 ]. On the other hand, in other countries, such as Lithuania and Greece, where there is no compensation culture and no formal compensation system for late whiplash-related injuries, the development of chronic symptoms following whiplash is a rare phenomenon [ 21 , 22 ]. This evidence suggests that the culture and expectations around whiplash, local insurance systems, and the prospect of monetary benefits are likely to play important roles in the prevalence of whiplash injuries and related claims, as well as in the recovery process.…”

A model to differentiate WAD patients and people with abnormal pain behaviour based on biomechanical and self-reported tests

“…Whiplash-related injuries are estimated to account for approximately 80% of all traffic injuries [ 1 ], representing a critical health, social, and economic issue [ 2 ]. For instance, whiplash is in Germany is the most common consequence of road traffic accidents, with approximately 20,000 cases yearly and costing insurance companies more than 500 million euro [ 3 ]. Although the numbers vary significantly across countries, whiplash-related injuries in Europe were estimated to cost annually up to 10 billion euros [ 4 ], with an increment in recent years [ 1 ].…”

“…In support of this, Cassidy and colleagues (2000) showed that the elimination of financial compensations for pain and suffering was associated with a drop in the number of insurance claims, as well as with a faster recovery [ 10 ]. Similarly, in countries where compensation for late whiplash-related injuries is not formally provided (e.g., Lithuania, Greece), patients rarely develop chronic symptoms [ 3 , 10 ].…”