@article{ref1,
title="Patterns and predictors of follow-up in patients with mild traumatic brain injury",
journal="Brain injury",
year="2014",
author="Crandall, Marie and Rink, Richard A. and Shaheen, Aisha Waris and Butler, Bennett and Unger, Erin and Zollman, Felise S.",
volume="28",
number="11",
pages="1359-1364",
abstract="BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to identify factors that influence follow-up for patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). <br><br>METHODS: One hundred and ninety-nine consecutive inpatients diagnosed with MTBI at a Trauma Centre (or TC) were monitored for establishment of care with a brain injury specialist after discharge. Bivariate statistics were calculated to determine subject characteristics impacting the decision to pursue TBI-related specialty care. <br><br>RESULTS: One hundred and nineteen patients (59.8%) followed up with the TC for routine post-injury care. Patients who followed up were older (age >40: OR = 2.48, p = 0.01, 95% CI = 1.03-8.96) and had longer hospital lengths of stay (LOS > 3 days: OR = 2.99, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.33-7.67). Upon follow-up, providers identified 20 patients (16.8%) with persistent neurologic symptoms, seven (3.5%) of whom saw a brain injury specialist. Lack of insurance significantly decreased the likelihood of follow-up with the TC and/or establishment of care with a TBI specialist. (OR = 0.76, p = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.62-0.95). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Being insured was strongly predictive for follow-up at the TC and for establishing with a brain injury specialist post-MTBI. The TC post-injury visit identified MTBI patients with persistent symptoms, suggesting post-acute TC follow-up is an important venue for MTBI sequelae screening and referral.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0269-9052",
doi="10.3109/02699052.2014.919533",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/02699052.2014.919533"
}