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Initial somatic symptoms are associated with prolonged symptom duration following concussion in adolescents
Author(s) -
Howell David R.,
O'Brien Michael J.,
Beasley Michael A.,
Mannix Rebekah C.,
Meehan William P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13486
Subject(s) - medicine , concussion , duration (music) , somatic cell , pediatrics , injury prevention , poison control , emergency medicine , art , biochemistry , chemistry , literature , gene
Aim To determine which initial postinjury symptom domains are independently associated with symptoms lasting >28 days in youth athletes who sustained sport‐related concussions. Methods Patients who presented for care at a sport concussion clinic completed the postconcussion symptom scale. They were classified into two groups: those who reported symptom resolution within 28 days of injury and those who did not. Logistic regression models were constructed for children and adolescents to determine the independent association between symptom recovery and potential predictor variables: initial symptom scores in 5 postconcussion symptom scale domains (somatic, vestibular–ocular, cognitive, sleep and emotional), sex, loss of consciousness or amnesia at the time of injury, history of prior concussion, prior treatment for headaches or migraines, or family history of concussion. Results Sixty‐eight child (8–12 years of age) and 250 adolescent (13–18 years of age) athletes were included. For adolescents, initial somatic symptom severity was independently associated with prolonged symptom duration (adjusted odds ratio = 1.162; 95% CI : 1.060, 1.275) and no other predictor variables were. No potential predictor variables were independently associated with prolonged symptom duration for children. Conclusion Among adolescent athletes, a high initial somatic symptom burden (e.g. headache, nausea, vomiting, etc.) is associated with increased odds of symptoms beyond 28 days postinjury.