TY - JOUR PY - 2019// TI - Workers' recovery from concussions presenting to the emergency department JO - Occupational medicine A1 - Gaudet, L. A. A1 - Eliyahu, L. A1 - Beach, J. A1 - Mrazik, M. A1 - Cummings, G. A1 - Voaklander, D. C. A1 - Rowe, Brian H. SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - BACKGROUND: The emergency department (ED) is the first point of care for many patients with concussion, and post-concussion syndrome can impact vocational outcomes like successful return to work. Evaluation of concussion in general adult populations is needed. AIMS: To document the occurrence and outcomes of work-related concussion presenting to the ED for treatment.

METHODS: This study enrolled adults presenting with concussion to three urban Canadian EDs. Baseline ED interviews, physician questionnaires and patient phone interviews at 30 and 90 days documented work-related events, ED management, discharge advice, patient adherence and symptom severity. Work-related injury and return to work were modelled using logistic or linear regression, as appropriate.

RESULTS: Overall, 172 enrolled workers completed at least one follow-up. Work-related concussions were uncommon (n = 28). Most employees (80%) missed at least 1 day of work (median = 7; interquartile range: 3-14). Most (91%) employees returned to work within 90 days, while 41% reported persistent symptoms. Manual labour and self-reported history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were associated with work-related concussion, while days of missed work increased with marital status (divorced), history of sleep disorder and physician's advice to avoid work.

CONCLUSION: Work-related concussions are infrequent; however, most workers who sustain a concussion will miss work, and many return while still experiencing symptoms. Work-related concussion and days of missed work are mainly affected by non-modifiable factors. Workers, employers and the workers' compensation system should take necessary precautions to ensure that workers return to work safely and successfully following a concussion.

© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0962-7480 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqz089 ID - ref1 ER -