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TBI-38

Unidentified Injury and the Importance of Screening

Presentation Type:

Symposium

General Subject Classification:

Mild TBI and Concussion

Time / Location:

Tue, 6/14, 7:30 AM
Columbia Hall 6

Presenter(s):

Objectives:

  • Understanding the benefits and disadvantages of different approaches to screening for unidentified TBI.
  • Recommendations for future research and clinical practice.

Abstract:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) often results in persistent and overwhelming cognitive, behavioral and emotional challenges. TBI is also co-morbid with high levels of depression, anxiety and other types of social failure. Despite the large number of individuals with TBI who have been identified, many remain unidentified. Unidentified TBI occurs when symptoms are not related to the injury, resulting in misattribution of symptoms to etiologies other than the blow to the head. Without accurate screening tools, numerous individuals remain unidentified, deprived of receiving needed services, and continue to suffer the devastating effects of TBI. This symposium examines key issues related to screening for TBI. More specifically two approaches to screening for TBI will be compared in terms of the number of individuals who screen positive using each method. Thus the Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire (BISQ), developed at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method - Short Form (OSU-TBI-ID-SF) will be compared. The BISQ is a self-administered instrument based on the ACRM definition of mild TBI. In addition, Gordon et al (2000) identified 25 symptoms that are sensitive and specific to TBI. Thus, the presence of a positive screen is based on the number of blows to the head, the period of altered mental status (dazed and confused or unconscious) and the number of sensitive and specific symptoms reported. The OSU-TBI-ID-SF uses a structured interview to assess the history of TBI and is based on the CDC definition of mild TBI. That definition of mild TBI includes only those with a definitive loss of consciousness. Thus, the conceptual foundations of these two approaches are different. In addition, the TBI history examined using the BISQ is more extensive. A total of 75 individuals were given both instruments. Differences in outcome using the two measures will be discussed.

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