Journal
BRAIN INJURY
Volume 35, Issue 12-13, Pages 1607-1615Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2021.1976419
Keywords
Brain concussion; head injuries; closed; aged; computed tomography; comorbidity
Categories
Funding
- Finnish State Research Fund
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study explored how preexisting medical conditions in older adults with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) could influence brain health, cognition, and functional independence, and how these conditions varied with age. The research found that while certain conditions increased in frequency with age, such as circulatory and nervous system diseases, psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders decreased in frequency with greater age.
Objective This study examined the prevalence of preexisting conditions that could affect premorbid brain health, cognition, and functional independence among older adults with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), and the relationship between preexisting conditions, injury characteristics, and emergency department (ED) discharge location (home versus continued care). Methods Older adults (N = 1,427; 55-104 years-old; 47.4% men) who underwent head computed tomography (CT) after acute head trauma were recruited from the ED. Researchers documented preexisting medical conditions retrospectively from hospital records. Results Multiple preexisting conditions increased in frequency with greater age, including circulatory and nervous system diseases and preexisting abnormalities on head CT. Psychiatric and substance use disorders (SUDs) decreased in frequency with greater age. Among participants with uncomplicated MTBI and GCS = 15, preexisting nervous system diseases and preexisting CT abnormalities were associated with higher odds of continued care for all participants, whereas psychiatric disorders and SUDs were only associated with higher odds of continued care among participants <70 years-old. Preexisting circulatory diseases, loss of consciousness, and amnesia were unassociated with discharge location. Conclusions Preexisting medical conditions that could affect brain and cognitive health occur commonly among older adults who sustain MTBIs. These conditions can confound research examining post-injury outcomes within this age group.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available