title: Health-related quality of life within the first 5 years following military-related concurrent mild traumatic brain injury and polytrauma.
abstract: This study examined health-related quality of life within the first 5 years following concurrent mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) and polytrauma. Participants were 167 U.S. service members who had sustained a MTBI who had completed a brief neurobehavioral evaluation within 3 months postinjury and at least one telephone follow-up interview at 6 (n = 46), 12 (n = 89), 24 (n = 54), 36 (n = 42), 48 (n = 30) or 60 months (n = 25) postinjury. Within the first 5 years postinjury, service members reported ongoing headaches (67.4% to 92.0%), bodily pain (66.7% to 88.9%), medication use (71.7% to 92.0%), mental health treatment (28.3% to 60.0%), and the need for help with daily activities (18.5% to 40.0%). Problematic alcohol consumption was common within the first 24 months postinjury (23.9% to 29.2%). Many service members were working for pay (36.0% to 70.8%) though many reported a decline in work quality (16.0% to 30.4%). Despite ongoing symptom reporting, many service members reported that their medications were effective (43.3% to 80.0%), good/excellent health status (68.0% to 80.0%), and life satisfaction (79.6% to 90.5%). A minority reported suicidal or homicidal ideation (5.6% to 14.8%). Recovery from MTBI in a military setting is complex and multifaceted. Continued support and care for all service members who sustain a combat-related MTBI with polytrauma is recommended, regardless of the presence or absence of symptom reporting within the first few months postinjury.
authors.affiliation: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889.
authors.forename: Tracey A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Brickell
authors.affiliation: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889.
authors.forename: Rael T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.affiliation: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889.
authors.forename: Louis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: French
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000209:etiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult