BACKGROUND: Little is known of the role of alcohol intoxication as a risk factor for recurrent traumatic brain injuries (TBI). This study was a population-based longitudinal study to investigate this problem. METHODS: The record linkage technique was used and data gathered from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register, hospital records and by a questionnaire of family characteristics regarding the 12 058 subjects forming the Northern Finland Birth Cohort of 1966. Excluded were TBI subjects injured before the age of 12 years. RESULTS: Of the 236 patients who had survived their first (mainly mild) TBI, 21 had had a recurrent TBI and three of them two recurrent TBIs during the follow-up period (from 1978-2000). An alcohol-related first injury (RR 4.41, 95% CI 1.53-12.70) and urban place of birth (RR 4.39, 95% CI 1.68-11.48) were significant independent predictors of recurrent TBI. A significant positive correlation between the first and recurrent TBIs with respect to alcohol involvement (rs = 0.61, p = 0.003) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A first TBI related to alcohol drinking is predictive of recurrent TBI, which will often similarly be alcohol-related. The risk of recurrent injury seems to extend over several years after the first TBI. To prevent recurrence, efforts should be made to identify those with an alcohol-related first TBI. A brief intervention focused on drinking habits is needed as an immediate preventive measure.
BACKGROUND: Little is known of the role of alcohol intoxication as a risk factor for recurrent traumatic brain injuries (TBI). This study was a population-based longitudinal study to investigate this problem. METHODS: The record linkage technique was used and data gathered from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register, hospital records and by a questionnaire of family characteristics regarding the 12 058 subjects forming the Northern Finland Birth Cohort of 1966. Excluded were TBI subjects injured before the age of 12 years. RESULTS: Of the 236 patients who had survived their first (mainly mild) TBI, 21 had had a recurrent TBI and three of them two recurrent TBIs during the follow-up period (from 1978-2000). An alcohol-related first injury (RR 4.41, 95% CI 1.53-12.70) and urban place of birth (RR 4.39, 95% CI 1.68-11.48) were significant independent predictors of recurrent TBI. A significant positive correlation between the first and recurrent TBIs with respect to alcohol involvement (rs = 0.61, p = 0.003) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A first TBI related to alcohol drinking is predictive of recurrent TBI, which will often similarly be alcohol-related. The risk of recurrent injury seems to extend over several years after the first TBI. To prevent recurrence, efforts should be made to identify those with an alcohol-related first TBI. A brief intervention focused on drinking habits is needed as an immediate preventive measure.
Authors: Joel Grossbard; Carol A Malte; Gwen Lapham; Kathleen Pagulayan; Aaron P Turner; Anna D Rubinsky; Katharine A Bradley; Andrew J Saxon; Eric J Hawkins Journal: Psychiatr Serv Date: 2016-08-01 Impact factor: 3.084
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Authors: Keira M OʼDell; H Julia Hannay; Fedora O Biney; Claudia S Robertson; T Siva Tian Journal: J Head Trauma Rehabil Date: 2012 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 2.710
Authors: Guido I Guberman; Marie-Pier Robitaille; Peter Larm; Alain Ptito; Frank Vitaro; Richard E Tremblay; Sheilagh Hodgins Journal: Can J Psychiatry Date: 2019-10-17 Impact factor: 4.356