Outcome from Complicated versus Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. (19th April 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iverson, Grant L.; Lange, Rael T.; Wäljas, Minna; Liimatainen, Suvi; Dastidar, Prasun; Hartikainen, Kaisa M.; Soimakallio, Seppo; Öhman, Juha
• Other Names: Ambrose Anne Felicia Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Rehabilitation research and practice. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-04-19
• Subjects: Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation, Vocational; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation; Periodicals; 617.103
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/415740
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-2867

Abstract

Abstract : Objective . To compare acute outcome following complicated versus uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) using neurocognitive and self-report measures. Method . Participants were 47 patients who presented to the emergency department of Tampere University Hospital, Finland. All completed MRI scanning, self-report measures, and neurocognitive testing at 3-4 weeks after injury. Participants were classified into the complicated MTBI or uncomplicated MTBI group based on the presence/absence of intracranial abnormality on day-of-injury CT scan or 3-4 week MRI scan. Results . There was a large statistically significant difference in time to return to work between groups. The patients with uncomplicated MTBIs had a median of 6.0 days (IQR = 0.75–14.75, range = 0–77) off work compared to a median of 36 days (IQR = 13.5–53, range = 3–315) for the complicated group. There were no significant differences between groups for any of the neurocognitive or self-report measures. There were no differences in the proportion of patients who (a) met criteria for ICD-10 postconcussional disorder or (b) had multiple low scores on the neurocognitive measures. Conclusion . Patients with complicated MTBIs took considerably longer to return to work. They did not perform more poorly on neurocognitive measures or report more symptoms, at 3-4 weeks after injury compared to patients with uncomplicated MTBIs.