Symptoms that are relied on for the diagnosis of postconcussion syndrome in high-school athletes are common.
Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) is often diagnosed retrospectively by assessing current symptoms (ICD-10 requires cognitive, somatic, emotional, and sleep problems). However, researchers have questioned the specificity of these. Now, investigators have examined preseason reporting of PCS-like symptoms by over 30,000 healthy high-school students in Maine (boys, 54.1%; mean age, 15.5 years) and analyzed the relationship of symptoms to current or past health conditions (e.g., migraines, psychiatric treatment, substance abuse, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]).
Symptoms were rated on a 6-point scale (mild, 1–2; moderate, 3–4; severe, 5–6); to meet PCS criteria, symptoms had to occur in at least three categories. No participant had a…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook 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)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook 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)