Clinical therapeutics
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Clinical therapeutics · Feb 2018
Multicenter Study Observational StudyGender Differences in Pain Experience and Treatment after Motor Vehicle Collisions: A Secondary Analysis of the CRASH Injury Study.
Little is known about gender differences in the treatment of pain after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in an emergency department (ED). We aimed to describe gender differences in pain experiences and treatment, specifically the use of opioids and benzodiazepines after ED discharge, for MVC-related pain. ⋯ In a large, multicenter study of ED patients treated for MVC, there were gender differences in the acute psychological response to MVC with women reporting more psychological and somatic symptoms. Women and men were equally likely to receive opioid prescriptions at discharge. Future research should investigate potential gender-specific interventions to reduce both posttraumatic distress and the risk of developing negative long-term outcomes like chronic pain.