%0 Journal Article
%T How long is too long? The lack of consensus regarding the post-concussion syndrome diagnosis
%J Brain injury
%D 2015
%A Rose, Sean Carroll
%A Fischer, Anastasia N.
%A Heyer, Geoffrey L.
%V 29
%N 7-8
%P 798-803
%X Background/aim: A standard definition of Post-concussion Syndrome (PCS) does not exist. The objective was to determine consensus regarding the definition of PCS among physician members of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).<br><br>METHODS: Physician members of the ACSM were sent an electronic survey to determine opinions regarding the PCS diagnosis.<br><br>RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-seven physicians completed the survey. When asked the minimum duration of symptoms required to diagnose PCS, respondents answered: <2 weeks (26.6%), 2 weeks to 1 month (20.4%), 1-3 months (33%) and >3 months (11.1%). Physicians who see ≥10% concussion patients in their practise, as well as physicians whose concussion population consists of >50% paediatric patients, were more likely to require >1 month of symptoms (p < 0.001). When asked the minimum number of symptoms required to diagnose PCS, responses varied: one symptom (55.9%), two symptoms (17.6%), three symptoms (14.6%) and four or more symptoms (3.2%). Respondents from the US were more likely than non-US respondents to require only one symptom for the PCS diagnosis (p = 0.01).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of consensus regarding the definition of PCS among physician members of the ACSM. A standard definition would improve consistency in concussion research and in clinical practise.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Informa - Taylor and Francis Group
%@ 0269-9052
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/02699052.2015.1004756