Association Between Low Cortisol Levels and Whiplash Syndrome

• Status: Unknown status
• Trial end date: 2016-06-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

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 From all patients a blood sample will be withdrawn to measure cortisol concentrations.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.

• Phase: Phase 2
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Soroka University Medical Center
• Treatments: Cortisol succinate; Hydrocortisone; Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate; Hydrocortisone acetate

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• victims of motor vehicle accidents

• signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy

• traumatic brain injury

• psychiatry disorders

• active cancerous conditions

• adrenal diseases

• medical treatment by estrogens, anti-depressants, melatonin, pain control.

• substance abuse

• hospitalization due to the trauma

• contra indication to hydrocortisone treatment

• over 6 hours from time of injury