Articles: traumatic-brain-injuries.
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Clinical endocrinology · Oct 2016
Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in adults after traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of long-term disability with variable recovery. Preclinical studies suggest that vitamin D status influences the recovery after TBI. However, there is no published clinical data on links between vitamin D status and TBI outcomes. The aim was to determine the (i) prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency, and associations of vitamin D status with (ii) demographic factors and TBI severity, and with (iii) cognitive function, symptoms and quality of life, in adults after TBI. ⋯ Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients after TBI and associated with impaired cognitive function and more severe depressive symptoms.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and stability of symptom reporting in a healthy military sample and to develop reliable change indices for two commonly used self-report measures in the military health care system. ⋯ Postconcussion-like symptoms are not unique to mild TBI and are commonly reported in a healthy soldier sample. It is important for clinicians to use normative data when evaluating a service member or veteran and when evaluating the likelihood that a change in symptom reporting is reliable and clinically meaningful.
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The purpose of this research was to examine the predictive validity of a brief, outpatient neuropsychological battery relative to concurrent functional outcomes 1-25 years post traumatic brain injury. ⋯ These findings demonstrate the utility of a brief, outpatient battery in prediction of concurrent outcomes up to 25 years post injury. Given the difficulty in receiving full reimbursement for neuropsychological assessment services, the data provide needed empirical support for use of more economical and efficient testing.
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A new trauma care system with regional major trauma centres (MTC) was implemented on 1st April 2012 across England. We aimed to assess whether this has affected the referral pathways and mortality of patients undergoing emergency craniotomy for extradural haematoma (EDH), where clinical outcome is correlated with the time to intervention. ⋯ MTC implementation has not affected the time to operation or the mortality following EDH evacuation.
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One of the most severe conditions specific to the critically ill polytrauma patient is traumatic brain injury and traumatic spinal cord injury. The mortality rate is high in the case of these patients, both because of the direct traumatic lesions, and because of the pathophysiological imbalances associated with trauma. Amongst the most common pathologies associated with the critically ill polytrauma patients responsible for a lower survival rate, are redox imbalance, systemic inflammatory response, infections, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. ⋯ A new era for biomarkers is represented by the expression of miRNAs. In the case of the critically ill polytrauma patient, using miRNAs' expression as biomarkers for the evaluation and monitoring of the molecular and pathophysiological dysfunctions can bring a range of valuable answers that could contribute to an increased survival rate.