ABSTRACT
Objective
Identification of patients with mTBI at risk for developing persistent-post concussive syndromes should begin during the ED/inpatient evaluation due to frequent lack of post-discharge follow-up. The best method for evaluating cognitive deficits in these acute settings and how to utilize this information to optimize follow-up care is a matter of ongoing research. In this descriptive study, we present the cognitive profile of 214 hospitalized patients with mTBI using a novel cognitive and behavioral screener, the UCD-Cog.
Method
A retrospective review of patients with mTBI requiring hospitalization who were enrolled in the UC Davis TBI Registry over the course of 1 year.
Results
Reasoning, executive function, and delayed recall were the most frequently impaired cognitive domains. GCS 13–14 was associated with higher numbers of impaired cognitive domains and frequencies of impairments in domains traditionally associated with post-concussive symptoms. Patients with abnormal UCD-Cog results, regardless of GCS, were recommended higher levels of post-discharge care and supervision.
Conclusion
Inpatient cognitive profiles using the UCD-Cog were consistent with evaluations during the subacute/chronic phase of mTBI and supports the clinical utility of acute cognitive screeners for mTBI management. Future studies will determine how the acute cognitive assessments correlate with long-term mTBI outcomes.
KEYWORDS:
Disclosure statement
EDB receives book royalties from Oxford University Press and does forensic neuropsychological consultation.
Data availability statement
Raw data were generated at the University of California Davis Health. Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author WL on request.