Effect of Age on Longitudinal Changes in Symptoms, Function, and Outcome in the First Year After Mild-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury.
Hilaire J Thompson, Frederick P Rivara, Jin Wang
PMID 32032276WHAT IT FOUND
Older adults with mild-moderate brain injury report more balance and coordination problems and worse physical health than younger adults in the first year.
They also have higher risk of repeat falls. Screen for these specific issues and refer to balance programs.
Key findings
01Older adults with mild-moderate TBI have significantly worse functional outcomes and physical quality of life compared to younger adults across the first year post-injury.
02While total symptom counts were similar, older adults reported significantly more balance, coordination, and fatigue issues, whereas younger adults reported more anxiety and headache.
03Falls were the predominant cause of injury in the older cohort, and ongoing balance issues place them at increased risk for repeat falls.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample size was very small (33 participants), which limits the statistical power and generalizability of the findings. The study could not control for covariates like sex, which differed significantly between the two age groups (83.3% male in the younger cohort vs 40% in the older cohort). Data was collected from a single Level I trauma center, which may not reflect the broader population of patients with mild TBI. The study did not collect information on treatment or management received, so it describes natural history rather than intervention effects.
Declared interests
Conflict of Interests: None.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that similar total symptom counts mean similar recovery experiences. Older adults had significantly worse functional outcomes and different symptom profiles (more balance/fatigue, less headache/anxiety) than younger adults, despite similar overall symptom burden.