Soldiers with Mild TBI: A Conflict Within the Military?

A study of screening results and a perspective piece on medical practice appear to disagree.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has occurred frequently in the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two recent articles differ on the appropriate methods for screening, assessment, and treatment of these “wounded warriors.”

Terrio and colleagues focused on a retrospective instrument involving clinical review of battlefield records (including details of the events from “battle buddies”) and confirmation of TBI by clinical interview. Of 3973 soldiers returning from Iraq, 1292 reported an injury; 907 (23%) involved mild TBI (mTBI). Soldiers reporting an alteration in consciousness at injury were significantly more likely than others to recall mTBI symptoms immediately afterwards and at follow-up. Postdeployment, clinical state significantly impr…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience