Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Concussion, psychiatric, hospitalization (PubMed Search)
Posted: 4/9/2022 by Brian Corwell, MD
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A recent study investigated the association between concussion and subsequent mental health conditions in a pediatric population.
Retrospective cohort study. Pediatric patients aged 5 to 18 years who presented to an ED, PCP or mental health practitioner from April 2010, to March 2020, in Ontario, Canada.
Primary outcome: Time to first diagnosis with a mental health condition during follow-up
Secondary outcomes: 1) self-harm 2) psychiatric hospitalization 3) death by suicide.
Mental health conditions: anxiety and neurotic disorders, adjustment reactions, behavioral disorders, mood and eating disorders, schizophrenia, substance use disorder, suicidal ideation, and disorders of psychological development.
Study group, almost 450,000 patients. Age and sex matching between those with concussion and those who experienced an orthopedic injury.
A significant association (P < .001) was found between concussion and mental health conditions
A significant association emerged between concussion and self-harm and psychiatric hospitalization
No association with suicide
Conclusion: Concussion was significantly associated with risk of mental illness, psychiatric hospitalization and self-harm but not death by suicide.
Concussed patients had an almost 40% higher rate of mental health conditions compared to controls (adjusted hazard ratio 1.39)
Take home: Screen patients who return to the ED with post concussive symptoms for mental health symptoms/concerns and provide appropriate awareness for parents
Ledoux A, Webster RJ, Clarke AE, et al. Risk of Mental Health Problems in Children and Youths Following Concussion. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e221235.
