Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 7/2015

01-07-2015 | Concussion and Head Injury (S Lucas, Section Editor)

Update on the Epidemiology of Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Authors: Jameson D. Voss, Joseph Connolly, Karen A. Schwab, Ann I. Scher

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 7/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

Mild traumatic injuries to the brain (e.g., concussion) are common and have been recognized since antiquity, although definitions have varied historically. Nonetheless, studying the epidemiology of concussion helps clarify the overall importance, risk factors, and at-risk populations for this injury. The present review will focus on recent findings related to the epidemiology of concussion including definition controversies, incidence, and patterns in the population overall and in the military and athlete populations specifically. Finally, as this is an area of active research, we will discuss how future epidemiologic observations hold promise for gaining greater clarity about concussion and mild traumatic brain injury.
Literature
1.
go back to reference McCrory PR, Berkovic SF. Concussion: the history of clinical and pathophysiological concepts and misconceptions. Neurology. 2001;57(12):2283–9.PubMedCrossRef McCrory PR, Berkovic SF. Concussion: the history of clinical and pathophysiological concepts and misconceptions. Neurology. 2001;57(12):2283–9.PubMedCrossRef
4.
6.••
8.
go back to reference National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Report to Congress on mild traumatic brain injury in the United States: steps to prevent a serious public health problem. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Report to Congress on mild traumatic brain injury in the United States: steps to prevent a serious public health problem. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003.
9.
go back to reference Walker W, Cifu DX, Hudak A, Goldberg G, Kunz RD, Sima A. Structured interview for mild traumatic brain injury after military blast: interrater agreement and development of diagnostic algorithm. J Neurotrauma. 2014. doi:10.1089/neu.2014.3433. Walker W, Cifu DX, Hudak A, Goldberg G, Kunz RD, Sima A. Structured interview for mild traumatic brain injury after military blast: interrater agreement and development of diagnostic algorithm. J Neurotrauma. 2014. doi:10.​1089/​neu.​2014.​3433.
10.
go back to reference Echlin PS, Skopelja EN, Worsley R, Dadachanji SB, Lloyd-Smith DR, Taunton JA et al. A prospective study of physician-observed concussion during a varsity university ice hockey season: incidence and neuropsychological changes. Part 2 of 4. Neurosurgical focus. 2012;33(6):E2: 1–11. doi:10.3171/2012.10.focus12286. Echlin PS, Skopelja EN, Worsley R, Dadachanji SB, Lloyd-Smith DR, Taunton JA et al. A prospective study of physician-observed concussion during a varsity university ice hockey season: incidence and neuropsychological changes. Part 2 of 4. Neurosurgical focus. 2012;33(6):E2: 1–11. doi:10.​3171/​2012.​10.​focus12286.
11.
go back to reference Chrisman SP, Schiff MA, Chung SK, Herring SA, Rivara FP. Implementation of concussion legislation and extent of concussion education for athletes, parents, and coaches in Washington State. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(5):1190–6. doi:10.1177/0363546513519073.PubMedCrossRef Chrisman SP, Schiff MA, Chung SK, Herring SA, Rivara FP. Implementation of concussion legislation and extent of concussion education for athletes, parents, and coaches in Washington State. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42(5):1190–6. doi:10.​1177/​0363546513519073​.PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference McCrea M, Hammeke T, Olsen G, Leo P, Guskiewicz K. Unreported concussion in high school football players: implications for prevention. Clin J Sport Med: Off J Can Acad Sport Med. 2004;14(1):13–7.CrossRef McCrea M, Hammeke T, Olsen G, Leo P, Guskiewicz K. Unreported concussion in high school football players: implications for prevention. Clin J Sport Med: Off J Can Acad Sport Med. 2004;14(1):13–7.CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Bazarian JJ, Veazie P, Mookerjee S, Lerner EB. Accuracy of mild traumatic brain injury case ascertainment using ICD-9 codes. Acad Emerg Med : Off J Soc Acad Emerg Med. 2006;13(1):31–8. doi:10.1197/j.aem.2005.07.038. Bazarian JJ, Veazie P, Mookerjee S, Lerner EB. Accuracy of mild traumatic brain injury case ascertainment using ICD-9 codes. Acad Emerg Med : Off J Soc Acad Emerg Med. 2006;13(1):31–8. doi:10.​1197/​j.​aem.​2005.​07.​038.
20.
24.
go back to reference Kilcoyne KG, Dickens JF, Svoboda SJ, Owens BD, Cameron KL, Sullivan RT, et al. Reported concussion rates for three division I football programs: an evaluation of the new NCAA concussion policy. Sports Health. 2014;6(5):402–5. doi:10.1177/1941738113491545.PubMedCrossRef Kilcoyne KG, Dickens JF, Svoboda SJ, Owens BD, Cameron KL, Sullivan RT, et al. Reported concussion rates for three division I football programs: an evaluation of the new NCAA concussion policy. Sports Health. 2014;6(5):402–5. doi:10.​1177/​1941738113491545​.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference CDC grand rounds: reducing severe traumatic brain injury in the United States. MMWR Morbidity and MortalityWeekly Report. 2013;62(27):549–52. CDC grand rounds: reducing severe traumatic brain injury in the United States. MMWR Morbidity and MortalityWeekly Report. 2013;62(27):549–52.
28.
go back to reference Mason CN. Mild traumatic brain injury in children. Pediatr Nurs. 2013;39(6):267.PubMed Mason CN. Mild traumatic brain injury in children. Pediatr Nurs. 2013;39(6):267.PubMed
29.
go back to reference Bruns Jr J, Hauser WA. The epidemiology of traumatic brain injury: a review. Epilepsia. 2003;44 Suppl 10:2–10.PubMedCrossRef Bruns Jr J, Hauser WA. The epidemiology of traumatic brain injury: a review. Epilepsia. 2003;44 Suppl 10:2–10.PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Langlois JA, Rutland-Brown W, Wald MM. The epidemiology and impact of traumatic brain injury: a brief overview. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2006;21(5):375–8.PubMedCrossRef Langlois JA, Rutland-Brown W, Wald MM. The epidemiology and impact of traumatic brain injury: a brief overview. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2006;21(5):375–8.PubMedCrossRef
36.
go back to reference Hendricks AM, Amara J, Baker E, Charns MP, Gardner JA, Iverson KM, et al. Screening for mild traumatic brain injury in OEF-OIF deployed US military: an empirical assessment of VHA’s experience. Brain Inj : [BI]. 2013;27(2):125–34. doi:10.3109/02699052.2012.729284.CrossRef Hendricks AM, Amara J, Baker E, Charns MP, Gardner JA, Iverson KM, et al. Screening for mild traumatic brain injury in OEF-OIF deployed US military: an empirical assessment of VHA’s experience. Brain Inj : [BI]. 2013;27(2):125–34. doi:10.​3109/​02699052.​2012.​729284.CrossRef
37.
go back to reference Lange RT, Brickell TA, Kennedy JE, Bailie JM, Sills C, Asmussen S, et al. Factors influencing postconcussion and posttraumatic stress symptom reporting following military-related concurrent polytrauma and traumatic brain injury. Arch Clin Neuropsychol : Off J Nat Acad Neuropsychol. 2014;29(4):329–47. doi:10.1093/arclin/acu013.CrossRef Lange RT, Brickell TA, Kennedy JE, Bailie JM, Sills C, Asmussen S, et al. Factors influencing postconcussion and posttraumatic stress symptom reporting following military-related concurrent polytrauma and traumatic brain injury. Arch Clin Neuropsychol : Off J Nat Acad Neuropsychol. 2014;29(4):329–47. doi:10.​1093/​arclin/​acu013.CrossRef
38.
go back to reference Xydakis MS, Robbins AS, Grant GA. Mild traumatic brain injury in U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(20):2177. doi:10.1056/NEJMc086083. Xydakis MS, Robbins AS, Grant GA. Mild traumatic brain injury in U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(20):2177. doi:10.​1056/​NEJMc086083.
39.
40.
go back to reference External causes of traumatic brain injury, 2000–2011. Msmr. 2013;20(3):9–14. External causes of traumatic brain injury, 2000–2011. Msmr. 2013;20(3):9–14.
41.
go back to reference Incident diagnoses of common symptoms (“sequelae”) following traumatic brain injury, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2000–2012. Msmr. 2013;20(6):9–13. Incident diagnoses of common symptoms (“sequelae”) following traumatic brain injury, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2000–2012. Msmr. 2013;20(6):9–13.
42.
go back to reference Medical evacuations from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), active and reserve components, U.S. Armed Forces, October 2001 - September 2009. Msmr. 2010;17(2):6. Medical evacuations from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), active and reserve components, U.S. Armed Forces, October 2001 - September 2009. Msmr. 2010;17(2):6.
43.
go back to reference O’Donnell FL, Brundage JF, Wertheimer ER, Olive DS, Clark LL. Deployment-related conditions of special surveillance interest, U.S. Armed Forces, by month and service, January 2003 - January 2011 (data as of 23 February 2012). Msmr. 2012;19(2):25. O’Donnell FL, Brundage JF, Wertheimer ER, Olive DS, Clark LL. Deployment-related conditions of special surveillance interest, U.S. Armed Forces, by month and service, January 2003 - January 2011 (data as of 23 February 2012). Msmr. 2012;19(2):25.
45.
46.••
go back to reference Giza CC, Kutcher JS, Ashwal S, Barth J, Getchius TS, Gioia GA, et al. Summary of evidence-based guideline update: evaluation and management of concussion in sports: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2013;80(24):2250–7. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e31828d57dd. Provides evidence-based guidelines focused on concussion in sports.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Giza CC, Kutcher JS, Ashwal S, Barth J, Getchius TS, Gioia GA, et al. Summary of evidence-based guideline update: evaluation and management of concussion in sports: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2013;80(24):2250–7. doi:10.​1212/​WNL.​0b013e31828d57dd​. Provides evidence-based guidelines focused on concussion in sports.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
49.
go back to reference Kerr ZY, Collins CL, Mihalik JP, Marshall SW, Guskiewicz KM, Comstock RD. Impact locations and concussion outcomes in high school football player-to-player collisions. Pediatrics. 2014;134(3):489–96. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-0770.PubMedCrossRef Kerr ZY, Collins CL, Mihalik JP, Marshall SW, Guskiewicz KM, Comstock RD. Impact locations and concussion outcomes in high school football player-to-player collisions. Pediatrics. 2014;134(3):489–96. doi:10.​1542/​peds.​2014-0770.PubMedCrossRef
51.
go back to reference Eirale C, Tol JL, Targett S, Holmich P, Chalabi H. Concussion surveillance: do low concussion rates in the Qatar Professional Football League reflect a true difference or emphasize challenges in knowledge translation? Clin J Sport Med : Off J Can Acad Sport Med. 2014. doi:10.1097/jsm.0000000000000066. Eirale C, Tol JL, Targett S, Holmich P, Chalabi H. Concussion surveillance: do low concussion rates in the Qatar Professional Football League reflect a true difference or emphasize challenges in knowledge translation? Clin J Sport Med : Off J Can Acad Sport Med. 2014. doi:10.​1097/​jsm.​0000000000000066​.
52.
go back to reference Smith DW, Myer GD, Currie DW, Comstock RD, Clark JF, Bailes JE. Altitude modulates concussion incidence implications for optimizing brain compliance to prevent brain injury in athletes. Orthop J Sports Med. 2013;1(6):2325967113511588.CrossRef Smith DW, Myer GD, Currie DW, Comstock RD, Clark JF, Bailes JE. Altitude modulates concussion incidence implications for optimizing brain compliance to prevent brain injury in athletes. Orthop J Sports Med. 2013;1(6):2325967113511588.CrossRef
53.
go back to reference Myer GD, Smith D, Barber Foss KD, Dicesare CA, Kiefer AW, Kushner AM, et al. Rates of concussion are lower in National Football League games played at higher altitudes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014;44(3):164–72.PubMedCrossRef Myer GD, Smith D, Barber Foss KD, Dicesare CA, Kiefer AW, Kushner AM, et al. Rates of concussion are lower in National Football League games played at higher altitudes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014;44(3):164–72.PubMedCrossRef
56.
go back to reference Chan V, Thurairajah P, Colantonio A. Defining traumatic brain injury in children and youth using international classification of diseases version 10 codes: a systematic review protocol. Syst Rev. 2013;2:102. doi:10.1186/2046-4053-2-102. Chan V, Thurairajah P, Colantonio A. Defining traumatic brain injury in children and youth using international classification of diseases version 10 codes: a systematic review protocol. Syst Rev. 2013;2:102. doi:10.​1186/​2046-4053-2-102.
Metadata
Title
Update on the Epidemiology of Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors
Jameson D. Voss
Joseph Connolly
Karen A. Schwab
Ann I. Scher
Publication date
01-07-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0506-z

Other articles of this Issue 7/2015

Current Pain and Headache Reports 7/2015 Go to the issue

Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Headache and Pain (D Buse, Section Editor)

Well-Established and Empirically Supported Behavioral Treatments for Migraine

Childhood and Adolescent Headache (S Evers, Section Editor)

Headache and ADHD in Pediatric Age: Possible Physiopathological Links

Uncommon and/or Unusual Headaches and Syndromes (J Ailani, Section Editor)

Headache and Dizziness: How to Differentiate Vestibular Migraine from Other Conditions

Secondary Headache (M Robbins, Section Editor)

Headache in Drug-Induced Aseptic Meningitis

Anesthetic Techniques in Pain Management (D Wang, Section Editor)

Supratrochlear and Supraorbital Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Headache: a Review

Secondary Headache (M Robbins, Section Editor)

Myofascial Head Pain