Citation

Thomas E, Fitzgerald M, Cowen G. Concussion 2020; 5(1): CNC70.

Affiliation

Senior Lecturer, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, The Drake Foundation, Publisher Future Medicine)

DOI

10.2217/cnc-2019-0015

PMID

32266082

PMCID

PMC7136981

Abstract

This editorial highlights the significant gaps in our understanding of concussion, identifying information necessary for further understanding of this clinical diagnosis. This would lead to improvement in management and allow appropriate resource allocation.

In the last decade, there has been significant attention paid by the media to the ‘silent epidemic’ of concussion [1]. This, in part, has been triggered by athletes sharing emotional perspectives [2] describing their experiences of the sustained effects of concussion. During this time, diagnostic assessment guidelines in sports have been regularly updated and there has been widespread dissemination of on- and off-field assessment tools and information regarding safe return-to-play [3,4]. An increase in concussion awareness in the sporting community [5] has followed. Sports-related concussion, however, represents only 16% of all annual concussive injuries in Australia [6], with motor vehicle accidents, falls and violent assaults representing the major contributors to concussion diagnoses.

Epidemiology of concussion

The cost of concussion

The lost sea of clinical data

The way forward

Language: en

Keywords

concussion; economics; epidemiology; health