Persisting symptoms, quality of life and return to work following mTBI in an Australian community-based cohort: results from the Concussion Recovery Study (CREST) — The Association Specialists
  1. Schedule
  2. Poster Presentations
  3. Persisting symptoms, quality of life and return to work following mTBI in an Australian community-based cohort: results from the Concussion Recovery Study (CREST)

Persisting symptoms, quality of life and return to work following mTBI in an Australian community-based cohort: results from the Concussion Recovery Study (CREST) (22213)

Jacinta Thorne 1 2 3 , Ola Gozt 4 , Sarah Hellewell 1 2 , Jemma Keeves 1 2 , Gill Cowen 1 2 5 6 , Libby Thomas 7 , Alexander Ring 3 , Jun Chih 6 , Caerwen Beaton 1 2 , Francesca Buhagiar 8 , Amanda Jefferson 5 , Melissa Papini 1 2 , Glenn Arendts 9 10 , Antonio Celenza 9 11 , Ben Smedley 12 , Sjinene VanSchalkwyk 13 , John Iliff 5 14 15 16 , Nicole Ghedina 17 , Russell Young 18 , Monica Marton 19 , Suzanne Robinson 20 , Melissa Licari 21 , Dan Xu 5 7 22 , Stephen Honeybul 23 , Michael Bynevelt 24 , Carmela Pestell 8 , Daniel Fatovich 25 26 , Melinda Fitzgerald 1 2
  1. Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science , Nedlands, WA, Australia
  2. Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University , Bentley, WA, Australia
  3. School of Allied Health , Curtin University , Bentley, WA, Australia
  4. Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
  5. Curtin Medical School , Curtin University , Bentley , WA, Australia
  6. School of Population Health , Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
  7. School of Population Health , Centre for Clinical Research Excellence , Perth, WA, Australia
  8. School of Psychological Science , University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
  9. Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
  10. Emergency Department, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia
  11. Emergency Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital , Nedlands, WA, Australia
  12. Emergency Department, Rockingham General Hospital, Rockingham, WA, Australia
  13. Emergency Department, Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, WA, Australia
  14. Emergency Department, St John of God Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia
  15. School of Medicine, Notre Dame University , Fremantle, WA, Australia
  16. Royal Flying Doctor Service, Western Operations, WA, Australia
  17. Emergency Department , St John of God Hospital , Midland , WA, Australia
  18. Emergency Department, Albany Regional Hospital, Albany, WA, Australia
  19. Emergency Department, Geraldton Regional Hospital , Geraldton , WA, Australia
  20. School of Health and Development , Deakin University , Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  21. The Kids Research Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
  22. The First Affiliated Hospital , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou, China
  23. Department of Neurosurgery , Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital , Nedlands, WA, Australia
  24. Neurological Intervention and Imaging Service, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital , Perth, WA, Australia
  25. Emergency Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital , Perth, WA, Australia
  26. Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , Nedlands, WA, Australia

Background: Some people experience persisting post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) for months or years after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Our aim was to evaluate the presence of PPCS, impact on quality of life (QoL) and ability to return to work (RTW) at 3- and 12-months after mTBI in an Australian population.

Methods: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study of adults aged 18-65 years who sustained mTBI from a range of mechanisms. Demographic, pre- and peri-injury data were collected by telephone within seven days of injury. Primary outcome measures were PPCS (Post-Concussion Symptom Scale symptom severity score >6 for males; >7 for females), health-related QoL (QOLIBRI-OS); and RTW at 3- and 12-months post-mTBI.

Findings: 232 participants, median age 33y (IQR 24-50y), 101(43.5%) female, 74(31.9%) sports-related mTBI, were included in analysis. Of 164(70.7%) participants completing 3-month follow-up, 81(49.7%) had PPCS. At 3-months median QOLIBRI-OS score was 87.5% (IQR 67-96). Of those working pre-injury, 131(95.6%) had RTW. Notably, 59(43.1%) of people who had RTW at 3-months had PPCS. At 12-months, 137(59.1%) people completed follow-up; 62(45.3%) were experiencing PPCS and median QOLIBRI-OS score was 88.0% (IQR 71-96). Of those working pre-injury, 109(94.8%) had RTW, with 38.3% working with a degree of PPCS.

Interpretation: Of those participants who completed follow-up, almost half reported experiencing persisting symptoms at 12 months after mTBI. Over a third of participants continue to work while symptomatic. Outcomes for those lost to follow-up are unknown, representing potential response bias. Further investigation into the social, financial and economic burden of PPCS is warranted.