Citation

Gallagher VT, Kramer N, Abbott K, Alexander J, Breiter H, Herrold A, Lindley T, Mjaanes J, Reilly J. J. Neurotrauma 2018; 35(11): 1242-1247.

Affiliation

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, United States ; james.reilly@northwestern.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2017.5453

PMID

29336208

Abstract

There is conflicting evidence regarding whether females are more adversely affected following concussion relative to males. Further, recent research suggests hormonal contraceptive (HC) use may affect symptom severity and duration post-concussion. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of sex and HC use on outcomes following concussion among collegiate varsity athletes. We hypothesized females would have longer length of recovery (LOR) and peak symptom severity would be associated with longer length of recovery in both males and females. Among females, we hypothesized non-HC users would have longer length of recovery and higher peak symptom severity compared to HC users. 90 collegiate student-athletes were included in this study (40 males, 50 females; 24 hormonal contraceptive-users, 25 non-HC users). Demographic, injury, and recovery information was abstracted via retrospective record review. Length of recovery was defined as days between injury and clearance for full return to play by team physician. Peak symptom severity score (SCAT-2 or -3) was used in analyses. Study results revealed males had shorter length of recovery compared to females (F(1, 86)=5.021, p<.05, d=0.49) but comparable symptom severity scores. Symptom severity was strongly related to LOR for males (r=.513, p<.01) but not females (r=-.003, p>.05). Among females, non-HC users demonstrated higher symptom severity compared to HC users (F(1,47)=5.142, p<.05, d=.70). No significant differences between female HC users and non-HC users on length of recovery were observed. This study provides evidence for differential concussion outcomes between male and female collegiate athletes and hormonal contraceptive user and nonusers among females.

Language: en

Keywords

GENDER; HEAD TRAUMA; TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY