Symptoms and disability until 3 months after mild TBI.
OBJECTIVE
Examine frequency, character and course of symptoms until 3 months after MTBI and the relation between symptoms and disability.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study of 122 consecutive patients with MTBI. Symptom assessment after 1, 7 and 14 days and 3 months post-injury by use of Rivermead Post-concussional Questionnaire. Disability assessment by use of Rivermead Head Injury Follow-up Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Patients reporting one or more symptoms declined from 86% on day 1 to 49% 3 months post-injury, when 25% also reported change in one or more domains of everyday activities. Poor memory, sleep disturbance and fatigue were most commonly reported. Symptom and disability scores were correlated (tau = 0.60; p < 0.001). Early symptom load correlated with late symptom load (tau = 0.38; p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms gradually decline post-injury. Symptoms correlate with disability at 3 months. Patients with early high symptom load are at risk for developing persisting complaints.
Lundin
A
A
Department of Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. anders.lundin@ds.se
de Boussard
C
C
Edman
G
G
Borg
J
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D038223:Post-Concussion Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices