http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4738-0410
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ABSTRACT
Concussions in adolescents are a growing public health concern. The aim of this study was to identify clinical (e.g., concussion history, migraine history, learning disabilities/ADHD) and demographic factors (e.g., age, sex, race, health insurance status, mechanism of injury, education) that predict concussion recovery times. In a retrospective cohort study of 118 adolescents 13–19 years old who were evaluated for an acute concussion (≤10 days from injury), recovery times were calculated from the date of concussive injury to the date of clearance to return to play and/or normal activities. The median time to recovery was 17 days. Predictors of longer recovery included ADHD (HR = .221, 95% CI = .095 − .514, p < .001) and prior concussion (HR = .564, 95% CI = .332 − .959, p = .03). Student athletic insurance and public insurance were predictors of shorter recovery times (HR = 3.98, 95% CI = 1.25 − 12.65, p = .02 and HR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.09 − 10.15, p = .03, respectively). In adolescents with prior concussion or ADHD, clearance to return to play/ normal activities may be delayed. Further research is needed to validate the impact of SES/health insurance on concussion recovery time.