Citation

Kristman VL, Brison RJ, Bedard M, Reguly P, Chisholm S. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2016; 31(6): E33-E43.

Affiliation

Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (Drs Kristman and Bédard and Ms Reguly); Division of Human Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (Drs Kristman and Bédard); Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (Drs Kristman and Bédard); Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Dr Kristman); Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada (Dr Brison); St. Joseph's Care Group, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (Dr Bédard); and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (Ms Chisholm).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0000000000000226

PMID

27022959

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic markers associated with poor recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in older adults. SETTING: Three Ontario emergency departments. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-nine participants aged 65 years and older that visited an emergency department for MTBI.

DESIGN: Pilot prospective cohort study. MAIN MEASURES: Recovery from MTBI determined using the Rivermead Postconcussion symptom Questionnaire, the Glasgow Outcomes Scale-Extended, physical and mental health functioning (SF-12), and a single question on self-rated recovery assessed by telephone shortly after emergency department visit (baseline) and again 6 months later. Predictors were measured at baseline.

RESULTS: Markers potentially associated with poor recovery included reporting worse health 1 year before the injury, poor expectations for recovery, depression, and fatigue.

CONCLUSION: Recovery after MTBI in older adults may be associated more with psychosocial than with biomedical or injury-related factors.

Language: en