Post-traumatic headaches correlate with migraine symptoms in youth with concussion

OBJECTIVE

The term "post-traumatic migraine" (PTM) has been used to describe post-traumatic headaches (PTHs) that have associated migraine features, but studies of this relationship are lacking. The objective of the present study was to determine whether PTH correlates strongly with migraine symptoms among youth with concussion.

METHODS

Twenty-three symptoms were analyzed from a retrospective cohort of 1953 pediatric patients with concussion. A principal component analysis (PCA) with oblique Promax rotation was conducted to explore underlying symptom relationships in the full cohort and in subcohorts stratified by the presence (n = 414) or absence (n = 1526) of premorbid headache.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 14.1 years; 63% were male. Headache was the most common postconcussion symptom, acknowledged by 69.4% of patients. When considering the full cohort, the PCA demonstrated clustering of headache with photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, dizziness, and neck pain. Similar clustering was present among patients without premorbid headaches. Repeating the analysis in the patients with preconcussion headaches led to elimination of neck pain from the cluster.

CONCLUSIONS

PTH correlates strongly with other migraine symptoms among youth with concussion, regardless of premorbid headaches. This clustering of migraine symptoms supports the existence of PTM as a distinct clinical entity in some patients.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy reveals reduced interhemispheric cortical communication after pediatric concussion

Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a growing concern, especially among the pediatric population. By age 25, as many as 30% of the population are likely to have had a concussion. Many result in long-term disability, with some evolving to postconcussion syndrome. Treatments are being developed, but are difficult to assess given the lack of measures to quantitatively monitor concussion. There is no accepted quantitative imaging metric for monitoring concussion. We hypothesized that because cognitive function and fiber tracks are often impacted in concussion, interhemispheric brain communication may be impaired. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to quantify functional coherence between the left and right motor cortex as a marker of interhemispheric communication. Studies were undertaken during the resting state and with a finger-tapping task to activate the motor cortex. Pediatric patients (ages 12-18) had symptoms for 31-473 days, compared to controls, who have not had reported a previous concussion. We detected differences between patients and controls in coherence between the contralateral motor cortices using measurements of total hemoglobin and oxy-hemoglobin with a p<0.01 (n=8, control; n=12 mTBI). Given the critical need for a quantitative biomarker for recovery after a concussion, we present these data to highlight the potential of fNIRS coupled with interhemispheric coherence analysis as a biomarker of concussion injury.

Exploring the Relationship Between Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Exposure and the Presence and Severity of Postconcussive Symptoms Among Veterans Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the association between mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and persisting postconcussive symptoms according to symptom category, number, and severity.

DESIGN

The study design was observational.

PARTICIPANTS

The study sample comprised veterans (≥18 years of age) deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) conflicts who had not received any treatment for mTBI in the 30 days preceding study enrollment.

METHODS

Veterans were interviewed and completed testing in a single day. The Standard TBI Diagnostic Interview and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale were used. Testing included the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory and a full neuropsychological battery. Gold standard classification methods were utilized to determine presence/absence of mTBI. For each of the 5 symptom outcomes, an adjusted multiple linear regression model (negative binomial count models) accounting for effects of socio-demographic variables and behavioral health conditions was used.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-report of neurobehavioral symptoms categorized as affective, cognitive, somatic, and vestibular symptoms, in addition to the instruments specified above.

RESULTS

OEF/OIF veterans with mTBI, relative to veterans with no mTBI, were observed to have 30% more symptoms overall (P < .001), 34% more somatic symptoms (P < .001), 22% more cognitive symptoms (P = .008), 15% more affective symptoms (P = .017), and 59% more vestibular symptoms (P < .001). For adjusted models, variables significantly related to number of symptoms across all 4 symptom categories were anxiety (all P < .001) and insomnia (all P < .001). For the adjusted models, variables significantly related to symptom severity across all 4 symptom categories were insomnia (all P < .001), depression (P < .001-.05) and anxiety (all, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

OEF/OIF veterans with mTBI, relative to veterans with no mTBI, have significantly more and significantly more severe persisting symptoms, with vestibular symptoms reported with the greatest frequency. After accounting for behavioral health conditions and socio-demographic factors, OEF/OIF veterans with mTBI compared to veterans without mTBI had significantly more cognitive, affective, vestibular, and somatic symptoms persisting 4.8 years after the mTBI event(s).

Sleep disturbance and neurocognitive function during the recovery from a sport-related concussion in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbances are a hallmark sign after a sport-related concussion (SRC). Poor sleep has been shown to adversely affect baseline neurocognitive test scores, but it is not comprehensively understood how neurocognitive function is affected by disrupted sleep during recovery from a concussion.

PURPOSE

To identify the correlation between adolescent athletes' neurocognitive function and their self-reported sleep quantity and sleep disturbance symptoms during recovery from SRC.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognition Testing (ImPACT) data were retrospectively collected for 545 adolescent athletes treated for SRC at a sports medicine concussion clinic. Patients were stratified into groups based on 2 criteria: self-reported sleep duration and self-reported sleep disturbance symptoms during postinjury ImPACT testing. Sleep duration was classified as short (<7 hours), intermediate (7-9 hours), and long (>9 hours). Sleep disturbance symptoms were self-reported as part of the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) as either sleeping less than normal, sleeping more than normal, or having trouble falling asleep. One-way analyses of variance were conducted to examine the effects that sleep duration as well as self-reported sleep disturbance symptoms had on composite scores. A total of 1067 ImPACT tests were analyzed: test 1, 545; test 2, 380; and test 3, 142.

RESULTS

Sleeping fewer than 7 hours the night before testing correlated with higher PCSS scores (P < .001), whereas sleeping longer than 9 hours correlated with worse visual memory (P = .01), visual motor speed (P <.001), and reaction time (P = .04) composite scores. With regard to self-reported sleep disturbance symptoms, patients demonstrated worse composite scores during ImPACT testing when they self-reported sleeping more than normal (ImPACT test 1: verbal memory, P < .001; visual motor speed, P = .05; reaction time, P = .01; ImPACT test 2: verbal memory, P < .001; visual memory, P < .001; visual motor speed, P < .001; reaction time, P = .01). Adolescent patients recovering from SRC demonstrated higher (worse) PCSS scores (P < .001) when they sensed that their sleep had been disrupted.

CONCLUSION

Adolescent patients who perceive that their sleep is somehow disrupted after SRC may report a greater number of concussion symptoms during their recovery. In addition, the study results suggest that sleeping more than normal may identify an individual who continues to be actively recovering from concussion, given the correlation between lower neurocognitive function and this self-reported symptom.

Associations between operationally estimated blast exposures and postdeployment diagnoses of postconcussion syndrome and posttraumatic stress disorder

Traumatic brain injuries and other blast-related injuries have been identified as the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some operational units in Iraq, especially those responsible for clearing roadways, were exposed to hundreds of blast incidents and thousands of individual doses of concussive energy during their lengthy deployments. Using operational records maintained by a single command element, the researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating the association between estimated individual exposures to blasts and the risk for postconcussion syndrome (PCS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Tactical records documented all of the relevant details of the subjects' exposures to blasts during their missions. During the study period there were 313 blasts involving 418 service members resulting in 4,250 blast person events. Of that population, 12.9% were diagnosed with PCS, 8.6% with PTSD, and 5.3% with both. This study suggests that estimating the total individual dosage to concussive forces through physical evidence at the scene could be a useful predictor of future brain-disorder diagnoses. Those in vehicles sustaining heavy blast damage are at increased risk of being diagnosed with PTSD with a rate ratio of 2.79 (95% CI, 1.27-6.13) and PTSD in conjunction with PCS with a rate ratio of 4.10 (95% CI, 1.63-10.28). Standardization of the data collection method for blast incidents and additional follow-up studies could lead to the development of better ways of monitoring operational risk factors for negative health outcomes, plans to intervene in order to minimize health risks, and establish customized follow-up protocols based on specific dosage thresholds.

[Concussion in children and adolescents during sports]

Concussion, a frequent injury in sports, is rarely evoked and often trivialized in children and teenagers. Knowledge of the diverse symptoms and signs to seek for is essential to an appropriate and secure management. The initial treatment relies on cognitive and physical rest followed by a progressive return to school and subsequently sport activities. The aim of this article is to review an injury whose prognosis is generally favourable, but whose rare complications can prove dramatic.

Causes and consequences of sports concussion

Concussion in sports is a topic that is receiving increasing amounts of publicity and attention. Increasing recognition of concussion as well as improving understanding of the short- and long-term physiologic effects of concussion have resulted in widespread legislation governing the recognition and treatment of sports concussion. The increasing amount of medical research in the field and oftentimes subjective symptoms of concussion leave many ethical questions to be answered.

Quantitative assessment of post-concussion syndrome following mild traumatic brain injury using robotic technology

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is a common sequelae of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). Currently, there is no reliable test to determine which patients will develop PCS following an mTBI. As a result, clinicians are challenged to identify patients at high risk for subsequent PCS. Hence, there is a need to develop an objective test that can guide clinical risk stratification and predict the likelihood of PCS at the initial point of care in an Emergency Department (ED). This paper presents the results of robotic-assisted neurologic testing completed on mTBI patients in the ED and its ability to predict PCS at 3 weeks post-injury. Preliminary results show that abnormal proprioception, as measured using robotic testing is associated with higher risk of developing PCS following mTBI. In this pilot study, proprioceptive measures obtained through robotic testing had a 77% specificity (95CI: 46%-94%) and a 64% sensitivity (95CI: 41%-82%).

Proton MR spectroscopy correlates diffuse axonal abnormalities with post-concussive symptoms in mild traumatic brain injury

There are no established biomarkers for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), in part because post-concussive symptoms (PCS) are subjective and conventional imaging is typically unremarkable. To test whether diffuse axonal abnormalities quantified with three-dimensional (3D) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (¹H-MRSI) correlated with patients' PCS, we retrospectively studied 26 mTBI patients (mean Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score of 14.7), 18- to 56-year-olds and 13 controls three to 55 days post-injury. All were scanned at 3 Tesla with T1- and T2-weighted MRI and 3D ¹H-MRSI (480 voxels over 360 cm³, ∼30% of the brain). On scan day, patients completed a symptom questionnaire, and those who indicated at least one of the most common subacute mTBI symptoms (headache, dizziness, sleep disturbance, memory deficits, blurred vision) were grouped as PCS-positive. Global gray matter and white matter (GM/WM) absolute concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr) and myo-inositol (mI) in PCS-positive and PCS-negative patients were compared to age- and gender-matched controls using two-way analysis of variance. The results showed that the PCS-negative group (n=11) and controls (n=8) did not differ in any GM or WM metabolite level. The PCS-positive patients (n=15) had lower WM NAA than the controls (n=12; 7.0 ± 0.6 versus 7.9 ± 0.5mM; p=0.0007). Global WM NAA, therefore, showed sensitivity to the TBI sequelae associated with common PCS in patients with mostly normal neuroimaging, as well as GCS scores. This suggests a potential biomarker role in a patient population in which objective measures of injury and symptomatology are currently lacking.

Military- and sports-related mild traumatic brain injury: clinical presentation, management, and long-term consequences

CME Background

Articles are selected for credit designation based on an assessment of the educational needs of CME participants, with the purpose of providing readers with a curriculum of CME articles on a variety of topics throughout each volume. Activities are planned using a process that links identified needs with desired results.

Participants may receive credit by reading the article, correctly answering at least 70% of the questions in the Posttest, and completing the Evaluation. The Posttest and Evaluation are now available online only at PSYCHIATRIST.COM (Keyword: February).

CME Objective

After studying the Commentary by Peskind et al, you should be able to:

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The CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

The CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Note

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 1 hour of Category I credit for completing this program.

Date of Original Release/Review

This educational activity is eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ through February 29, 2016. The latest review of this material was January 2013.

Injury versus noninjury factors as predictors of postconcussive symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury in children

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relative contributions of injury characteristics and noninjury child and family factors as predictors of postconcussive symptoms (PCS) following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children.

METHOD

Participants were 8- to 15-year-old children, 186 with mild TBI and 99 with mild orthopedic injuries (OI). Parents and children rated PCS shortly after injury and at 1, 3, and 12 months postinjury. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to predict PCS from (1) demographic variables; (2) premorbid child factors (WASI IQ; WRAT-3 Reading; Child Behavior Checklist; ratings of preinjury PCS); (3) family factors (Family Assessment Device General Functioning Scale; Brief Symptom Inventory; and Life Stressors and Social Resources Inventory); and (4) injury group (OI, mild TBI with loss of consciousness [LOC] and associated injuries [AI], mild TBI with LOC but without AI, mild TBI without LOC but with AI, and mild TBI without LOC or AI).

RESULTS

Injury group predicted parent and child ratings of PCS but showed a decreasing contribution over time. Demographic variables consistently predicted symptom ratings across time. Premorbid child factors, especially retrospective ratings of premorbid symptoms, accounted for the most variance in symptom ratings. Family factors, particularly parent adjustment, consistently predicted parent, but not child, ratings of PCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Injury characteristics predict PCS in the first months following mild TBI but show a decreasing contribution over time. In contrast, noninjury factors are more consistently related to persistent PCS.

Hyperbaric side effects in a traumatic brain injury randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To catalog the side effects of 2.4 atmospheres absolute (atm abs) hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) vs. sham on post-concussion symptoms in military service members with combat-related, mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

Fifty subjects diagnosed with TBI were randomized to either a sham (1.3 atm abs breathing air) or treatment (2.4 atm abs breathing 100% oxygen) hyperbaric profile. Forty-eight subjects completed 30 exposures. Medical events during hyperbaric exposures were separately annotated by medical staff and chamber operators. After the blind was broken, events were segregated into the exposure groups.

RESULTS

These side effects were observed as rate (sham/treatment): ear block (ear barotrauma) 5.51% (1.09%/5.91%), sinus squeeze 0.14% (0.0%/0.27%), and confinement anxiety 0.27% (0.27%/0.27%). Other conditions that occurred included: headache 0.61% (0.68%/0.54%); nausea 0.2% (0.14%/0.27%); numbness 0.07% (0%/0.13%); heartburn 0.07% (0.14%/0%); musculoskeletal chest pain 0.07% (0%/0.13%); latex allergy 0.07% (0.14%/0%); and hypertension 0.07% (0.14%/0%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated no major adverse events, such as pulmonary barotraumas, pulmonary edema or seizure. Given the infrequent, mild side effect profile, the authors feel the study demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2T) was safe at a relatively high treatment pressure in TBI subjects, and these data can be used to evaluate the risk/ benefit calculation when deciding to utilize HBO2T for treatment of various diseases in the TBI population.

[Mild head trauma, from assessment to treatment]

In adults, 80% to 90% of head injuries are mild. They are mainly due to road accidents, falls and sports activities. They represent, due to their potential consequences and their incidence, a major health problem. Victims are most often young men, teenagers or children, as well as elderly people.

Mild traumatic brain injury and postconcussive symptoms in children and adolescents

The vast majority of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in children are of mild severity. Even if only a small proportion of children with mild TBI suffer negative outcomes, then mild TBI is a serious public health problem. This review summarizes the literature regarding the neurobehavioral outcomes associated with mild TBI in children and adolescents, focusing on the longstanding debate regarding postconcussive symptoms and attendant conceptual and methodological issues. The review also discusses future research directions, the long-term goal of which is to develop a comprehensive and integrated biopsychosocial model of outcomes that helps guide clinical management.

[Prolonged symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury]

INTRODUCTION

Patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) do not undergo consistent follow-up in Denmark and the risk factors for long-term symptoms are not fully known. The purpose of this study was to look into symptom frequency, sick-leave frequency and to try to identify risk factors for long-term symptoms following MTBI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients were recruited from the emergency room at Viborg Hospital. Initial data were registered and telephone interviews were conducted one month and one year after trauma.

RESULTS

60% were asymptomatic within the first month; an additional 11% became asymptomatic within the next year, leaving 29% with residual symptoms one year after trauma. 70% reported a sick leave period < 2 days, 19% > one month and 2% > one year. The average trauma-to-emergency room contact reached 158 min (median 65 min). Gender, age, blood pressure (BP), pulse, Glasgow coma score (GCS), admission to hospital, unconsciousness, amnesia, alcohol intake, time or type of trauma were not associated with long term symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Even patients with minor head trauma have a relatively high risk of long-term symptoms regardless of gender, age, BP, pulse, GCS, admission to hospital, unconsciousness, amnesia, alcohol intake, time or type of trauma. Nevertheless, the risk of long-term sick leave is relatively small.

Opinion about post-concussion syndrome in health professionals

OBJECTIVE

To compare opinion about post-concussion syndrome (PCS) in accident and emergency doctors, clinical neuropsychologists and neurosurgeons.

METHOD

A UK postal survey was sent to all accident and emergency doctors, neurosurgeons and clinical neuropsychologists listed by their professional bodies. Predictions of symptom complaint were made from a vignette about minor traumatic brain injury and a questionnaire about PCS-symptoms, cause, recovery and treatment.

RESULTS

All professional groups named headache, attention and memory difficulties as most common symptoms. Clinical neuropsychologists listed more symptoms at recall, more often achieved 'caseness' (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV or International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria) and were more optimistic about treatment effectiveness. Neurosurgeons were more pessimistic about recovery. Organic factors were most frequently cited as the main cause of PCS, followed by emotional factors and then compensation factors.

CONCLUSIONS

There was fair consistency between professional groups regarding PCS. Differences may reflect differing clinical roles between the professions, in terms of early care and late rehabilitation. The usefulness of the concept of PCS is discussed. All groups and particularly those working in acute settings may benefit from further information about minor brain injury including the effectiveness of psychological interventions.

Understanding the ‘miserable minority’: a diasthesis-stress paradigm for post-concussional syndrome

Opinions about persisting post-concussional symptoms after minor traumatic brain injury still reflect a polarization of views around the sterile debate concerning the psychological vs organic origins of symptoms. Reviews of the experimental literature do not always integrate the often diverse perspectives that explain persisting symptoms of concussion. As a result, the disorder is still poorly understood. In this review, a diasthesis-stress paradigm examines the interaction between physiological and psychological factors that generate and maintain post-concussional symptoms. Motivational factors and different coping strategies are considered to explain why some people are at risk of developing a post-concussional syndrome. The early iatrogenic potential of GPs and hospital doctors who may create insecurity or reinforce illness perceptions is considered. Finally, the rationale and effectiveness of interventions that ameliorate the impact of early post-concussional symptoms is reviewed to see if prevention of the post-concussional syndrome is more effective than cure.

The characteristics of patients who do not seek medical treatment for traumatic brain injury

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with not seeking medical care for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

RESEARCH DESIGN

Internet survey.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

The survey consisted of 17 questions related to demographics, TBI case ascertainment, location and mechanism of injury, type of treatment sought, and post-concussive (PC) symptoms. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with not seeking medical care.

MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS

Of the 1381 survey respondents with TBI, 584 (42%) did not seek medical care. TBI respondents were less likely to seek care if they were older (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99), suffered a mild TBI grade 2/3 (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.31-0.58), or were injured in the home (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.78).

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors associated with not seeking medical care after TBI were identified. Raising public awareness of the signs and symptoms of TBI, and the benefits of medical care, could help increase the number of TBI patients who seek medical care.

The relationship between gender and postconcussion symptoms after sport-related mild traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to define the relationship between gender and postconcussion symptoms (PCSx) at 3 months after sport-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and, further, to examine whether age (minors vs. adults), source of PCSx reporting (self-reported vs. proxy), previous head injury or loss of consciousness, or the sport type in which the mTBI was incurred explain any observed gender differences in PCSx.

DESIGN

Prospective nested cohort study.

SETTING

Regional trauma center emergency department.

PATIENTS

A total of 260 patients who presented with sport-related mTBI, as defined by American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine criteria, began the study. The participants who lacked litigation concerning the mTBI and had participated in the follow-up assessment completed the study (n = 215).

ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS

Self, proxy, and interviewer report of age, gender, previous head injury or loss of consciousness, and sport in which injury was sustained.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ).

RESULTS

Adult females are at greater risk for elevated RPQ scores (odds ratio [OR] = 2.89, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.25-6.71; P = .013) but not female minors (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.45-1.71]; P = .695), as compared with male subjects. Adjustment for empirically identified confounders in each age group revealed persisting elevated risk for adult females (OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.09-6.08; P = .031), but not minor females (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.52-2.19, P = .852). The risk associated with female gender in adults could not be explained by characteristics of the sports, such as helmeted versus not, or contact versus no contact, in which women incurred mTBIs. No sport characteristics were associated with increased risk of PCSx after mTBI.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult females, but not female minors, are at increased risk for PCSx after sport-related mTBI as compared with male patients. This increased risk cannot be explained by self-report, rather than proxy report, of symptoms, previous head injury or loss of consciousness, age, or sport characteristics. Further research is needed to elucidate the processes of age-differential recovery from mild brain injury in women and on how to most effectively incorporate appropriate follow-up after emergency department evaluation.