Citation

Cullum CM, Bunt S, Hicks C, Didehbani N, Miller S, Vargas B, Sabo T, Bell K, Batjer HH. BMJ Open 2020; 10(1): e032345.

Affiliation

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032345

PMID

31900269

Abstract

PURPOSE: The North Texas Concussion Registry (ConTex) was established in 2015 as a multi-institutional collaboration intended to study risk factors, recovery patterns and clinical outcomes associated with concussion across the lifespan, with a particular emphasis on sport-related concussion. PARTICIPANTS: Prospective enrolment of individuals who sustained a concussion within the past 6 months who were seen at one of four North Texas ConTex concussion clinics which employ common diagnostic criteria and assessment metrics to evaluate effects of a concussion as well as longitudinal tracking of recovery.

FINDINGS TO DATE: The ConTex database and multidisciplinary oversight team has been established, and over 1700 participants aged 5-88 years have been enrolled. A majority of concussions were sport-related (60%), with a mean age of 17.5 years and similar numbers of males and females. Three-month follow-up compliance has been excellent (86%), with a majority of subjects reporting good recovery by that time. ConTex has provided a rich data source for multiple research projects focused on concussion characteristics, risk factors and outcomes, and led to the development of a statewide youth concussion registry. FUTURE PLANS: ConTex data are being analysed to add to the body of knowledge regarding concussion mechanisms, factors related to recovery and improving outcomes for concussion patients. ConTex will serve as a platform for future treatment studies and may serve as a model for other concussion surveillance programmes.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Language: en

Keywords

neurology; neurosurgery; psychiatry; rehabilitation medicine; sports medicine; statistics & research methods