scholarly journals Untreated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in a Young Adult Population

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Demakis ◽  
C. A. Rimland
CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S97 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Gaudet ◽  
L. Eliyahu ◽  
J. Lowes ◽  
J. Beach ◽  
M. Mrazik ◽  
...  

Introduction: Patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) often present to the emergency department (ED). Incorrect diagnosis may delay appropriate treatment and recommendations for these patients, prolonging recovery. Notable proportions of missed mTBI diagnosis have been documented in children and athletes, while diagnosis of mTBI has not been examined in the general adult population. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in one academic (site 1) and two non-academic (sites 2 and 3) EDs in Edmonton, Canada. On-site research assistants enrolled adult (>17 years) patients presenting within 72 hours of the injury event with clinical signs of mTBI and Glasgow comma scale score ≥13. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and ED flow information were collected by chart review. Physician-administered questionnaires and patient interviews documented the recommendations given by emergency physicians at discharge. Bi-variable comparisons are reported using Pearson’s chi-square tests, Student’s t-tests or Mann-Whitney tests, as appropriate. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression methods. Results: Overall, 130/250 enrolled patients were female, and the median age was 35. Proportions of successfully diagnosed mTBI varied significantly across study sites (Site 1: 89%; Site 2: 73%, Site 3: 53%; p>0.001). Patients without a diagnosis were less likely to receive a recommendation to follow-up with their family physician (OR=0.08; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.21) or advice about return to work (OR=0.17; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.04) or physical activity (OR=0.08; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.17). Patients with missed diagnoses had longer ED stays (median=5.0 hours; IQR: 3.8, 7.0) compared with diagnosed mTBI patients (median=3.9 hours; IQR: 3.0, 5.3). In the adjusted model, patients presenting to non-academic centers had reduced likelihood of mTBI diagnosis (Site 2: OR=0.21; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.58; Site 3: OR=0.07; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.24). Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of physicians assessing patients presenting with symptoms of mTBIs to these three EDs is suboptimal. The rates of missed diagnosis vary among EDs and were associated with length of ED stay. Closer examination of institutional factors, including diagnosis processes and personnel factors such as physician training, is needed to identify effective strategies to heighten the awareness of mTBI presentations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Saufi Awang ◽  
Buveinthiran Balakrishnan ◽  
Chan Kin Hup ◽  
Razman Mohd Rus

Introduction: Mild traumatic brain injury is the most common form of traumatic brain injury. Individuals sustaining mild head injuries often complain of a cluster of symptoms termed post concussion syndrome. Post concussion syndrome can be profoundly disabling. Thus the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of post concussion syndrome in an adult population with mild traumatic brain injury in a single neurosurgical center in East Coast, Malaysia. Methods: Cross Sectional study, in a single neurosurgical center in Kuantan, Pahang. The study period is from January 2016 – December 2016. Universal sampling method was used, all patients with mild traumatic brain injury presenting to HTAA, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria is included in this study. Patients are then subjected to the checklist for diagnosis of post concussion syndrome as per ICD 10 classification at 2 weeks interval. Results: Between February 2016 – June 2016, a total of 136 patients with mild traumatic injury have been recruited to this study. The leading cause of mild traumatic brain injury is road traffic accidents, 86 patients (63.2%), and the mean age of this patient with mild traumatic brain injury is 28.8. Out of this number, 11 patients (8.1%) have been diagnosed with post concussion syndrome. Conclusions: The majority of individuals who sustain mild traumatic brain injuries are young adults, and the most common cause is road traffic accidents. Less than 10% of recruited patients suffered from post concussion syndrome.


Synapse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennaya Christensen ◽  
Glenn R. Yamakawa ◽  
Sabrina Salberg ◽  
Melinda Wang ◽  
Bryan Kolb ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 1363-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Brown ◽  
Katy O'Brien ◽  
Kelly Knollman-Porter ◽  
Tracey Wallace

Purpose The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released guidelines for rehabilitation professionals regarding the care of children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Given that mTBI impacts millions of children each year and can be particularly detrimental to children in middle and high school age groups, access to universal recommendations for management of postinjury symptoms is ideal. Method This viewpoint article examines the CDC guidelines and applies these recommendations directly to speech-language pathology practices. In particular, education, assessment, treatment, team management, and ongoing monitoring are discussed. In addition, suggested timelines regarding implementation of services by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are provided. Specific focus is placed on adolescents (i.e., middle and high school–age children). Results SLPs are critical members of the rehabilitation team working with children with mTBI and should be involved in education, symptom monitoring, and assessment early in the recovery process. SLPs can also provide unique insight into the cognitive and linguistic challenges of these students and can serve to bridge the gap among rehabilitation and school-based professionals, the adolescent with brain injury, and their parents. Conclusion The guidelines provided by the CDC, along with evidence from the field of speech pathology, can guide SLPs to advocate for involvement in the care of adolescents with mTBI. More research is needed to enhance the evidence base for direct assessment and treatment with this population; however, SLPs can use their extensive knowledge and experience working with individuals with traumatic brain injury as a starting point for post-mTBI care.


Author(s):  
Christine Parrish ◽  
Carole Roth ◽  
Brooke Roberts ◽  
Gail Davie

Abstract Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is recognized as the signature injury of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet there remains limited understanding of the persisting cognitive deficits of mTBI sustained in combat. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have traditionally been responsible for evaluating and treating the cognitive-communication disorders following severe brain injuries. The evaluation instruments historically used are insensitive to the subtle deficits found in individuals with mTBI. Objectives: Based on the limited literature and clinical evidence describing traditional and current tests for measuring cognitive-communication deficits (CCD) of TBI, the strengths and weaknesses of the instruments are discussed relative to their use with mTBI. It is necessary to understand the nature and severity of CCD associated with mTBI for treatment planning and goal setting. Yet, the complexity of mTBI sustained in combat, which often co-occurs with PTSD and other psychological health and physiological issues, creates a clinical challenge for speech-language pathologists worldwide. The purpose of the paper is to explore methods for substantiating the nature and severity of CCD described by service members returning from combat. Methods: To better understand the nature of the functional cognitive-communication deficits described by service members returning from combat, a patient questionnaire and a test protocol were designed and administered to over 200 patients. Preliminary impressions are described addressing the nature of the deficits and the challenges faced in differentiating the etiologies of the CCD. Conclusions: Speech-language pathologists are challenged with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating the cognitive-communication deficits of mTBI resulting from combat-related injuries. Assessments that are sensitive to the functional deficits of mTBI are recommended. An interdisciplinary rehabilitation model is essential for differentially diagnosing the consequences of mTBI, PTSD, and other psychological and physical health concerns.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara C. Schroeder ◽  
Ronald M. Ruff ◽  
Lutz Jäncke

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on (a) neuropsychological test performance and (b) self-reported emotional complaints within individuals suffering from postconcussional disorder (PCD) after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). A two-group comparative research design was employed. Two MTBI samples with and without PTSD were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery and the Ruff Neurobehavioral Inventory (RNBI). On the neurocognitive test performances no significant between group differences were found, but the MTBI group with PTSD endorsed a significantly greater number of emotional complaints, especially in the RNBI subscales of anxiety and depression. The patients with PTSD also endorsed a significantly greater number of premorbid sequelae in the RNBI emotional composite scale as well as the RNBI premorbid subscales of pain, anxiety and abuse. In sum, PTSD has a negative impact on emotional but not cognitive functioning within individuals suffering from PCD after a mild TBI.


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