Screening for traumatic brain injury in troops returning from deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq: initial investigation of the usefulness of a short screening tool for traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
Preliminary assessment of a new instrument, the Brief Traumatic Brain Injury Screen (BTBIS).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of 596 soldiers returning from Iraq and/or Afghanistan, comparing the consistency of their reports of traumatic brain injury (TBI) across instruments with similar TBI questions, and in a brief follow-up interview.


METHODS
Military base.


METHODS
Self-reported probable TBI on the BTBIS and on 2 longer questionnaires, and a brief follow-up interview.


RESULTS
Self-reports of probable TBI were higher on the BTBIS, than on the longer instruments. Participants who screened positive on the BTBIS generally provided consistent information about probable TBI in the follow-up interview.


CONCLUSIONS
In this initial study, the BTBIS demonstrated promise as part of a triage process in mass casualty situations, permitting individuals with probable TBI to self-report injury and continued symptoms. Further study, including full validation and reliability assessment, is warranted and required before these screening tools can be fully evaluated.
Schwab
Karen A
KA
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20012, USA.
Ivins
Brian
B
Cramer
Gayle
G
Johnson
Wayne
W
Sluss-Tiller
Melissa
M
Kiley
Kevin
K
Lux
Warren
W
Warden
Deborah
D
D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000453:epidemiology; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008403:Mass Screening; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008889:Military Personnel; D004856:Postural Balance; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014857:Warfare