Repeated traumatic brain injury in civilian emergency care: An exploration of potential risk factors.
Marisa Hollenkamp, Shreya McLeod, Stuart J McDonald et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined risk factors associated with repeated traumatic brain injury (rTBI) in civilian emergency care, analyzing four observational studies involving 301 patients. The review found that rTBI was frequently linked to pre-existing alcohol and other drug abuse, as well as a history of epilepsy or seizures. The studies were rated as good to high quality.
Key findings
- Repeated TBI was most commonly observed in individuals with pre-existing alcohol and other drug abuse.
- A history of epilepsy or seizures was also frequently associated with rTBI.
- Somatic symptoms were the most reported following rTBI, followed by visuo-vestibular symptoms.
- All included studies were rated as good to high quality on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
Why it matters
Understanding the risk factors for rTBI in civilian populations is crucial for emergency care providers, as it can inform assessment and management strategies for affected patients, potentially improving long-term outcomes.
What to keep in mind
Confidence in the findings is limited by the small number of eligible studies and the heterogeneity of reported outcomes.