Evaluation of moderate traumatic brain injury.
BACKGROUND
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Bergman
Karen
K
Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007, USA. bergmank@bronsonhg.org
Maltz
Sheldon
S
Fletcher
Jeffrey
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014194:Traumatology / Q000458:organization & administration; D016896:Treatment Outcome