title: Evaluation of moderate traumatic brain injury.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007, USA. bergmank@bronsonhg.org
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Sheldon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maltz
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fletcher
mesh_terms: 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