title: Prospective Tracking and Analysis of Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans and Military Personnel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the ongoing Clinical Tracking Form (CTF) study of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective longitudinal study. Data at baseline and postinjury are collected on participants through interview and questionnaire, review of medical records, and periodic follow-ups throughout their lifetime.
  
  
  METHODS
  A regional DVBIC site located at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N=211; age range, 18-75y) were enrolled between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012, at a regional DVBIC site.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Injury information, functioning, and psychological health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty percent of 211 participants were identified as having severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), 14% moderate TBIs, and 26% mild TBIs. Of these 211 participants, 79% sustained closed head injuries, 15% penetrating head injuries, and 6% were not reported. Comparing the severity of TBI in combat versus stateside situations, most of the mild injuries (71%) occurred in combat locations, while most of the severe injuries (62%) occurred in the United States. Among those injured in combat, blast-related TBIs (82%) greatly outnumbered non-blast-related TBIs, regardless of severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CTF study serves as a significant resource of data to understand the effect and outcomes of TBI in the military population. The lifelong experience of military veterans across the full spectrum of TBI and recovery will be recorded through the CTF, and will translate into more informed clinical decisions and educational efforts to guide future research pathways.
authors: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Palo Alto, CA. Electronic address: Nytzia.licona@va.gov.
authors: Nytzia E
authors: NE
authors: Licona
authors: Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA.
authors: Joyce S
authors: JS
authors: Chung
authors: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Palo Alto, CA; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA.
authors: John H
authors: JH
authors: Poole
authors: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Palo Alto, CA.
authors: Rose M
authors: RM
authors: Salerno
authors: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Palo Alto, CA.
authors: Nancy M
authors: NM
authors: Laurenson
authors: Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Palo Alto, CA; Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA; Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA.
authors: Odette A
authors: OA
authors: Harris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D062486:Public Health Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Blast injuries; Brain injuries, traumatic; Longitudinal studies; Multiple trauma; Prospective studies; Rehabilitation; Research