Citation

Obiano KS, Singh R, Dawson J. Brain Inj. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699052.2022.2140195

PMID

36373981

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients who suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience a constellation of physical, cognitive, and emotional/behavioral symptoms called "post-concussion symptoms" and subsequent long-term disability. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of persistent post-concussion symptoms and possible predictors of long-term disability focusing on demographic, injury, and psychological factors. It was hoped to identify groups at high risk.

METHODS: A prospective cohort of 1322 individuals admitted with TBI were assessed in a specialist neurorehabilitation clinic at 10 weeks and 1-year post injury between August 2011 and July 2015. The outcome (post-concussion symptoms) was measured using the Rivermead Post-concussion Questionnaire (RPQ) at 1-year post injury.

RESULTS: At 1 yr, 1131 individuals were identified (>90% follow-up). Over 20% exhibited moderate or severe symptom levels on RPQ. A linear regression model showed that previous psychiatric history, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), severe CT abnormalities, injury caused by assault, pre-injury unemployment, and inability to return to work at 6 weeks post-injury were associated with worse symptoms at 1 yr. The adjusted R(2) of the model was 25.1%.

CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the high incidence of post-concussion symptoms at 1 yr and identify certain associated features that increase risk. This may allow targeting of certain groups, e.g., return to work or victims of assault.

Language: en

Keywords

TBI; persistent post-concussion symptoms; predictors of severity; Rivermead post-concussion questionnaire