Psychiatric Sequelae Following Whiplash Injury: A Systematic Review

Global trends and hotspots related to whiplash injury: A visualization study

Whiplash injury, commonly occurring as a result of car accidents, represents a significant public health concern. However, to date, no comprehensive study has utilized bibliometric approaches to analyze all published research on whiplash injury. Therefore, our study aims to provide an overview of current trends and the global research landscape using bibliometrics and visualization software. We performed a bibliometric analysis of the data retrieved and extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database in whiplash injury research up to December 31, 2022. Research articles were assessed for specific characteristics, such as year of publication, country/region, institution, author, journal, field of study, references, and keywords. We identified 1751 research articles in the analysis and observed a gradual growth in the number of publications and references. The United States (379 articles, 21.64%), Canada (309 articles, 17.65%), and Australia (280 articles, 16.00%) emerged as the top-contributing countries/regions. Among institutions, the University of Queensland (169 articles, 9.65%) and the University of Alberta (106 articles, 6.05%) demonstrated the highest productivity. "Whiplash," "Neck Pain," "Cervical Spine Disease," and "Whiplash-associated Disorders" are high-frequency keywords. Furthermore, emerging areas of research interest included traumatic brain injury and mental health issues following whiplash injury. The number of papers and citations has increased significantly over the past 2 decades. Whiplash injury research is characteristically multidisciplinary in approach, involving the fields of rehabilitation, neuroscience, and spinal disciplines. By identifying current research trends, our study offers valuable insights to guide future research endeavors in this field.

The Effect of Changing the Angle of the Passenger Car Seat Backrest on the Head Trajectories of the 50th Percentile Male Dummy

The aim of the study is to compare the head displacement of the KPSIT C50 dummy during a frontal collision at a speed of 20 km/h, along with the change in the angle of the car seat backrest. Passenger car manufacturers recommend setting the backrest angle of the car seat between 100 and 125 degrees. It should be noted that the driver's position is of great importance in the event of a collision injury. In the event of a rear-end collision, the position of the headrest of the car seat is an element that affects the degree of the driver's injuries. In extreme cases, incorrect positioning of the headrest, even at low speed, can lead to serious injuries to the cervical spine and even death. The article is part of a large-scale study on low-speed crash testing. The research problem concerned the influence of the seat backrest angle on the head displacement during a low-speed collision. The article compares the displacement of the head of the KPSIT C50 dummy during a series of crash tests, where the angle of the car seat backrest was changed. On the basis of the research, it was found that the optimal angle of the car seat backrest is 110 degrees. In addition, a preliminary analysis of the displacements of the dummy's head showed a high risk of whiplash injury in people sitting in a fully reclined seat.

Grey matter abnormalities in major depressive disorder patients with suicide attempts: A systematic review of age-specific differences

Background

Previous studies have reported alterations in brain structure in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with suicide attempts. However, age-related changes in suicidal MDD patients remain unclear.

Methods

We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant studies from inception to January 2023. All voxel-based and surface-based morphometry studies comparing suicidal MDD patients to MDD or healthy controls were included. Studies were then grouped by age range (old, middle-age, adolescent) and the commonalities and age-related structural brain alterations were summarized. The included studies were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Results

A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 3 of late-life depression (LLD) patients, 11 of middle-aged depression (MAD) patients, and 3 of adolescent depression (AOD) patients. The majority of studies had moderate to high NOS scores, indicating good quality. Patients in all three age groups exhibited extensive alterations in the lateral, medial, and orbital regions of the frontal lobes. Furthermore, suicidal MAD patients showed a specific decrease in the gray matter volume of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex compared to suicidal LLD patients. Cortical thickness and left angular gyrus volume were decreased in suicidal MAD and suicidal LLD patients, but increased in suicidal AOD patients.

Conclusion

This systematic review summarizes structural brain changes in suicidal MDD patients at three age groups: elderly, middle-aged, and adolescent. These findings help elucidate the common circuitry of MDD related to suicide over the lifespan and highlight unique circuitry associated with different ages. These findings may help predict the risk of suicide in MDD patients at different ages.

Imaging in Whiplash-Associated Disorders

"Whiplash," a term describing the severe acceleration and deceleration forces applied to the head, craniocervical junction (CCJ), and cervical spine during trauma, is one of the most frequent mechanisms of injury to the CCJ. The CCJ is a complex region at the transition of the cranium and the cervical spine, essential for maintaining craniocervical stability. In whiplash injuries, the CCJ may be compromised due to underlying ligamentous or, less frequently, osseous, intravertebral disk and/or muscular lesions. Imaging is crucial in detecting acute lesions but may also play a role in the follow-up of chronic pathology because soft tissue lesions and progressive disk pathology could contribute to a whiplash-associated disorder.

Psychiatric sequelae and interventions in critically ill trauma survivors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Psychiatric disorders following trauma impact functional recovery in trauma survivors and are a significant source of disability. Although research has traditionally focused on the physical sequelae of trauma, more attention is being directed towards the significant morbidity and mortality associated with the psychologic sequelae of trauma. This review evaluates the existing literature.

RECENT FINDINGS

Use of multidisciplinary collaborative programmes in combination with psychiatric treatment and pharmacotherapy may be necessary to improve the care of trauma patients with psychiatric sequelae. Improving identification of vulnerable patients may help in the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and is an area of current research initiatives.

SUMMARY

There are few interventions that have demonstrated efficacy in managing the psychiatric sequelae of trauma. The development of strategies to guide early identification of at-risk patients and recommend prevention and treatment may improve the care of trauma survivors.