Articles: traumatic-brain-injuries.
-
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of morbidity worldwide and is of particular concern for the military. Scientific literature examining sex differences in TBI is highly contradictory with some reporting better outcomes in men, others reporting better outcomes in women, and others reporting mixed results or no difference. While the exact cause is currently debated, the existence of such differences has important implications for surveillance techniques, treatment options, and management of long-term consequences. As the number of women within the U.S. military ranks increases and with the opening of combat roles to women in 2013, increased awareness of probable sex differences regarding TBI responses will enable better standard of care. ⋯ Emerging studies underscore the complexity of interpreting sex differences in TBI. The long-held belief that women have a neuroprotective advantage compared to men based on higher levels of sex hormones is being re-evaluated. Past conclusions have relied extensively on clinical studies that include a disproportionate number of men or do not stratify results based on sex. While sex hormones may be neuroprotective, underlying mechanisms are far from clarified. Future TBI studies must include women and gonadal hormone levels should be measured to address potential variables. Given the significant number of TBIs within the military, an improved understanding of TBI pathophysiology and outcomes is important considerations for mission success and servicemember longevity.
-
As the number of U.S. veterans over age 65 has increased, interest in whether military service affects late-life health outcomes has grown. Whether military employment is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia remains unclear. ⋯ Among members of the Adult Changes in Thought cohort, military employment was not associated with increased risk of cognitive decline or dementia. Nevertheless, military veterans face the same high risks for cognitive decline and dementia as other aging adults.
-
Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · May 2023
Concomitant trauma of brain and upper cervical spine: lessons in injury patterns and outcomes.
The literature on concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI) and traumatic spinal injury is sparse and a few, if any, studies focus on concomitant TBI and associated upper cervical injury. The objective of this study was to fill this gap and to define demographics, patterns of injury, and clinical data of this specific population. ⋯ The rate of concomitant cranial and upper cervical spine injury was 1.4%. Risk factors were female gender, age ≥ 55, and pedestrians. RAs were the most common mechanism of injury. There was an association between the upper cervical injury group and longer ICU stay as well as higher mortality rates. Increased understanding of the pattern of concomitant craniospinal injury can help guide comprehensive diagnosis, avoid missed injuries, and appropriate treatment.
-
Critical care medicine · May 2023
Observational StudyCerebrovascular Pressure Reactivity Has a Strong and Independent Association With Outcome in Children With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.
To examine cerebrovascular pressure reactivity index (PRx) in a large cohort of children with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) in association with physiologic variables and outcome. ⋯ This is the largest cohort of children with PRx analysis of cerebrovascular reactivity to date. PRx had a strong association with outcome that was independent of ICP, CPP, GCS, and age. The data suggest that impaired autoregulation is an independent factor associated with poor outcome and may be useful in directing clinical care.