Persistence of post-concussion symptoms in patients with mild traumatic brain injury and no psychiatric history in the emergency department

Purpose To elucidate the predictive factors for persistent post-concussion symptoms at 1 and 3 months following minor traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) in patients with no psychiatric history. Methods This was an observational study in an academic trauma centre including adult patients with a history of mTBI and no psychiatric history. Exclusion criteria were missing the follow-up phone calls, radiologic abnormalities, simultaneous injuries and refusal to participate. Outcomes were post-concussion syndrome according to the international classification of diseases (ICD)-10 (ICD-PCS) and persistence of more than one mTBI related symptoms at 1 and 3 months post-injury. Results From 364 enrolled patients, 16 (4.4%) developed ICD-PCS, whereas 28 (7.6%) and 8(2.1%) reported more than one symptom at one and three months, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed associations between ICD-PCS with more than one initial symptom in the emergency department (ED) and the non-motor vehicle collision (non-MVC) impact mechanism with area under curve of 0.77. The former variable was associated with the persistence of more than one post-concussion symptom at one and three months. Conclusion More than one symptom in the ED and the mechanism of injury not related to MVCs (sports, violence or fall injuries) may predict symptom persistence. Early treatment and follow-up strategies may be beneficial for vulnerable patients.