INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects nearly 1.4 million Americans annually with an estimated 5.3 million US citizens living with disability. There is no standardized course of treatment for individuals with moderate TBI. This study aims to evaluate the patient demographics and acute care course for those with moderate TBI. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of 40 persons diagnosed with moderate TBI to examine demographic, clinical, and discharge variables associated with this injury. RESULTS: Falls, the most frequent mechanism of injury, were seen in more than 50% of individuals 65 years and older. The 21-to 64-year age group was more likely to be injured from motor vehicle crashes. Fifty percent of the patients were discharged; however, only 1 in 9 patients older than 65 years was discharged. Glasgow Coma Scale was not correlated with discharge destination. Cognitive status was screened in the hospital setting on 9 patients, and orders for outpatient screening/evaluation were done on an additional 17 patients. CONCLUSION: Moderate TBI is a unique subset of brain injury. Having a better understanding of its course of recovery will help develop appropriate management guidelines for this group.
INTRODUCTION:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects nearly 1.4 million Americans annually with an estimated 5.3 million US citizens living with disability. There is no standardized course of treatment for individuals with moderate TBI. This study aims to evaluate the patient demographics and acute care course for those with moderate TBI. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of 40 persons diagnosed with moderate TBI to examine demographic, clinical, and discharge variables associated with this injury. RESULTS: Falls, the most frequent mechanism of injury, were seen in more than 50% of individuals 65 years and older. The 21-to 64-year age group was more likely to be injured from motor vehicle crashes. Fifty percent of the patients were discharged; however, only 1 in 9 patients older than 65 years was discharged. Glasgow Coma Scale was not correlated with discharge destination. Cognitive status was screened in the hospital setting on 9 patients, and orders for outpatient screening/evaluation were done on an additional 17 patients. CONCLUSION: Moderate TBI is a unique subset of brain injury. Having a better understanding of its course of recovery will help develop appropriate management guidelines for this group.
Authors: Douglas F Zatzick; Joan Russo; Doyanne Darnell; David A Chambers; Lawrence Palinkas; Erik Van Eaton; Jin Wang; Leah M Ingraham; Roxanne Guiney; Patrick Heagerty; Bryan Comstock; Lauren K Whiteside; Gregory Jurkovich Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2016-04-30 Impact factor: 7.327
Authors: Stine B Lund; Kari H Gjeilo; Kent G Moen; Kari Schirmer-Mikalsen; Toril Skandsen; Anne Vik Journal: Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med Date: 2016-05-23 Impact factor: 2.953