Association Between Low Cortisol Levels and Whiplash Syndrome
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2016-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The investigators hypothesis is that low (or low relatively to the situation) cortisol levels
might be a causative factor of whiplash injury or post traumatic stress disorder following
road accidents. In this study the investigators enroll patients who sustained a road
accident. From all patients a blood sample will be withdrawn to measure cortisol
concentrations. Than, the patients will be divided into 2 groups: the study group will
receive a single injection of intravenous Hydrocortisone 100 milligram (a synthetic steroid
used routinely for many years). The control group will receive a same volume of normal saline
which would be used as a placebo treatment. The investigators assume that patients with low
cortisol levels would tend to have a higher incidence of whiplash injuries and / or post
traumatic stress disorders, and that a single bolus of hydrocortisone may prevent these
untoward sequelas of trauma.