Quality of life and post-concussion symptoms in adults after mild traumatic brain injury: a population-based study in western Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
To study quality of life and subjective post-concussion symptoms in adults (16-60 years) with a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) 3 months and 1 year after injury.


METHODS
Of a total of 489 patients 173 responded to questionnaires at 3 months and at 1 year, including the SF-36 health-related quality of life survey, which is a standardized measure validated for Swedish conditions. Post-concussion symptoms were rated as either existing or non-existing in a 21-item checklist [a modified version of Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS)].


RESULTS
SF-36 showed impaired scores in all dimensions. Existing post-concussion symptoms were reported by 1545%. Significantly, more symptoms were present at 3 months than at 3 weeks after injury. Furthermore, a significant correlation between higher rates of post-concussion symptoms and lower SF-36 scores was found.


CONCLUSIONS
The SF-36 results were significantly impaired compared with an age- and gender-matched normative control group and the rate of post-concussion symptoms was significantly higher at 3 months than at 3 weeks after injury. As a significant correlation between higher rates of symptoms and low SF-36 scores was also found we assume SF-36 to be a sensitive enough measure of MTBI-related effects.
Emanuelson
I
I
Department for Health of Women and Children, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. ingrid.emanuelson@vgregion.se
Andersson Holmkvist
E
E
Björklund
R
R
Stålhammar
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D038223:Post-Concussion Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology