The purpose of this study, published in March 2011, was to examine the prevalence and nature of concussive symptoms, up to one month post-presentation, among Emergency Department patients diagnosed with minor head injury. For the purposes of the research, minor head injury was defined as a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15 after injury.
Ninety four eligible and consenting patients presenting to two Canadian Emergency Departments with minor head injury were recruited. The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire was administered within one or two days of presentation and again at one month post-injury.
Proportions of patients reporting concussive symptoms were 68 out of 94 (72%) at initial assessment and 59 out of 94 (63%) at follow-up. This is a worrying finding, indicating that, in these two hospitals at least, the majority of patients with minor head injuries suffer from concussive symptoms that do not resolve quickly.
Common symptoms reported after one month were headache (41.5%), dizziness (28.7%), impatience (26.6%) and taking longer to think (28.7%). While physical symptoms declined over time, cognitive and emotional symptoms remained and, in some cases, actually worsened.
The authors suggest that these patterns of symptom occurrence should be anticipated and communicated to patients as part of routine care. This provides further support for Headway's ongoing campaign for comprehensive and consistent discharge information to be provided to all minor head injury patients.
Reference
Cunningham, J., Brison, R., MD & Pickett, W (2011) Concussive symptoms in Emergency Department patients diagnosed with minor head injury. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 40 (3), 262-266.
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