Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional
Official Title: The Association Between Low Cortisol Level and Whiplash Syndrome and the Effect of a Single Hydrocortisone Injection on Neck Symptoms Among Motor Vehicle Accident Victims: a Randomized Placebo Control
Brief 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 From all patients a blood sample will be withdrawn to measure cortisol concentrations.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.