@article{ref1,
title="Recurrent traumatic brain injury is predicted by the index injury occurring under the influence of alcohol",
journal="Brain injury",
year="2008",
author="Winqvist, Satu and Luukinen, H. and Jokelainen, J. and Lehtilahti, Maria and Näyhä, S. and Hillbom, Matti",
volume="22",
number="10",
pages="780-785",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Little is known of the role of alcohol intoxication as a risk factor for recurrent traumatic brain injuries (TBI). This study was a population-based longitudinal study to investigate this problem. METHODS: The record linkage technique was used and data gathered from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register, hospital records and by a questionnaire of family characteristics regarding the 12 058 subjects forming the Northern Finland Birth Cohort of 1966. Excluded were TBI subjects injured before the age of 12 years. RESULTS: Of the 236 patients who had survived their first (mainly mild) TBI, 21 had had a recurrent TBI and three of them two recurrent TBIs during the follow-up period (from 1978-2000). An alcohol-related first injury (RR 4.41, 95% CI 1.53-12.70) and urban place of birth (RR 4.39, 95% CI 1.68-11.48) were significant independent predictors of recurrent TBI. A significant positive correlation between the first and recurrent TBIs with respect to alcohol involvement (rs = 0.61, p = 0.003) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A first TBI related to alcohol drinking is predictive of recurrent TBI, which will often similarly be alcohol-related. The risk of recurrent injury seems to extend over several years after the first TBI. To prevent recurrence, efforts should be made to identify those with an alcohol-related first TBI. A brief intervention focused on drinking habits is needed as an immediate preventive measure.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0269-9052",
doi="10.1080/02699050802339397",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02699050802339397"
}