scholarly journals Self-perception of olfactory dysfunction is associated with history of Traumatic Brain Injury: post-hoc analysis from the OLFACAT survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 460-468
Author(s):  
C. Langdon ◽  
I. Alobid ◽  
L. Quinto ◽  
A. Valero ◽  
C. Picado ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the main causes of smell loss. However, epidemiological studies evaluating the incidence in general population are scarce. The aim of this analysis is to investigate the prevalence of TBI-induced olfactory dysfunction (OD) in a general-based population study. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional population-based survey was distributed to general population (260,000 households) through the newspaper. The survey included four microencapsulated odorants (smell test) to assess smell loss and two self-administered questionnaires (odour description and epidemiology/health status). Participants were divided into two groups, with or without a history of TBI. RESULTS: From 10,783 returned surveys, 9,348 were analysed. The survey profile was a 43-year old woman with medium-high educational level, living in a city. The overall prevalence of TBI was 5% (N=464, 44.5±14.1 years old, 57% females). Recorded causes of TBI were traffic, domestic, or work accidents. Subjects with TBI reported a poorer subjective smell self-perception compared to non-TBI participants, and a decreases ability to identify mercaptan (odour added to gas used in cities). Although, using the smell test, both groups showed similar smell capacities. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with TBI history report a higher frequency of self-perceived OD, and a decrease ability to smell the odour added to domestic gas. Having said that, the prevalence of OD, according to the smell test, was similar in both groups.

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 898-898
Author(s):  
Merritt V ◽  
Jurick S ◽  
Sakamoto M ◽  
Crocker L ◽  
Sullan M ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine rates of “post-concussive” symptom endorsement and symptom attribution in Veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We also explored the relationship between symptom endorsement and symptom attribution and assessed correlates of each. Method This cross-sectional study included 48 combat-exposed Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans with remote history of mTBI. All Veterans completed clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires assessing sociodemographic factors, injury and combat-related variables, psychiatric distress, self-efficacy, and coping style. To assess symptom endorsement and symptom attribution, a modified version of the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory was administered. Results Results showed that the most commonly endorsed “post-concussive” symptoms were several non-specific symptoms, and the symptoms most frequently attributed to mTBI included forgetfulness, poor concentration, and headaches. Furthermore, although there were some overlapping correlates of both symptom endorsement and symptom attribution, unique variables were associated with each domain. Specifically, symptom endorsement was uniquely associated with measures of psychiatric distress, while symptom attribution was uniquely associated with having a history of loss of consciousness and a greater degree of combat exposure. Conclusions Taken together, results suggest that endorsement of symptoms may be significantly impacted by the presence of mental health comorbidities, but that perceptions or beliefs as to why symptoms are occurring are related more to mTBI and combat-related characteristics. Findings offer potential avenues for therapeutic intervention, emphasize the importance of psychoeducation, and highlight the need to consider using alternate terminology for these symptoms that promotes recovery and minimizes misattribution of symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle A Morrison ◽  
Charles A Riley ◽  
Anthony M Tolisano

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the impact of military service on health literacy. Study Design Prospective, cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods The validated Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS) with military supplement was administered to sequential adult patients (military and civilian) treated at two outpatient academic military otolaryngology clinics between November and December 2019. Inadequate health literacy, defined by a BHLS score ≤9, was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included comparisons of inadequate BHLS scores with patient demographics and history of military service. Results Three hundred and eighty-two patients were evaluated during the study period. The median age was 48-57 years, with a majority being male (230, 60.2%), White (264, 69.1%), married (268, 70.2%), and active duty military (303, 79.3%). A minority reported history of PTSD (39, 13%) or traumatic brain injury (29, 9.6%). Overall, very few subjects (10, 2.6%) demonstrated inadequate health literacy. Patients with prior (1.6% vs 6.3%, P < .05) or current (0% vs 5.0%, P < .05) military service had lower rates of inadequate health literary as compared to civilians. Gender, race, marital status, history of PTSD, and history of traumatic brain injury did not significantly impact health literacy. In a multivariate regression model exploring history of military service, age was not predictive of inadequate health literacy. Conclusions Both history of and current military service predict higher health literacy rates for patients treated at military otolaryngology clinics. Widely accessible health care and mandatory health evaluations for service members to maintain deployment readiness may contribute to this finding but warrant additional study.


2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob J. Sosnoff ◽  
Steven P. Broglio ◽  
Sunghoon Shin ◽  
Michael S. Ferrara

Abstract Context: Postural control and cognitive function are adversely affected by acute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Whether postural-control deficits persist beyond the acute stage in individuals with a history of mTBI is unclear. Objective: To determine if postural-control deficits persist in individuals with a history of mTBI. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting: University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: As part of an ongoing investigation examining cognitive and motor deficits associated with mTBI, 224 individuals participated in the study. Of these, 62 participants self-reported at least 1 previous physician-diagnosed mTBI. Intervention(s): Postural control was assessed using the NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test (SOT) postural-assessment battery. Main Outcome Measure(s): The SOT postural assessment yields 4 indices of postural control: a composite balance score, a visual ratio score, a somatosensory score, and a vestibular score. Postural dynamics were also examined by calculating approximate entropy of center-of-pressure excursions in the anteroposterior and mediolateral axis for each test condition. Results: Minimal differences in the SOT indices were noted among individuals with and without a history of previous mTBI (P > .05). In the group with a history of mTBI, anteroposterior postural irregularity decreased as postural difficulty increased. In contrast, the group without a history of mTBI displayed increased postural irregularity in the mediolateral direction. Conclusions: Individuals with a history of mTBI exhibited altered postural dynamics compared with individuals without a history of mTBI. These findings support the notion that changes in cerebral functioning that affect postural control may persist long after acute injury resolution.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 869-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Ilie ◽  
Christine M. Wickens ◽  
Robert E. Mann ◽  
Anca Ialomiteanu ◽  
Edward M. Adlaf ◽  
...  

Objective: This study examined the association between roadway aggression and traumatic brain injury (TBI) among drivers and passengers who reside in the province of Ontario, Canada. Methods: Data were based on a 3-year cumulated cross-sectional sample of 6,048 adults aged 18 years and older who were surveyed by telephone. The outcome in this study was road rage in the form of verbal/gestural or physical aggression toward other road users and/or their vehicle. Results: Driving status, history of TBI, age, gender, education, and the interaction between history of TBI and education significantly predicted roadway aggression. Odds ratios (ORs) for roadway aggression were significantly higher among drivers (OR= 2.65) compared to passengers, between 2 and 4.5 times higher among individuals aged 18–64 years old compared to those older than 65 years, higher among adults with TBI (OR= 2.05) than without, and men (OR= 1.54) than women. Among respondents with lowest, but not highest, levels of education, roadway aggression was predicted by a history of TBI. Conclusion: This is the first population-based study to compare rates of roadway aggression between drivers and passengers with and without TBI. Research to understand these differences will be important for roadway aggression prevention efforts and policy.


Author(s):  
Lindamarie Olson ◽  
Michael G. Vaughn

Psychopathic traits and a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are common among imprisoned individuals. Although previous research has examined correlates of TBI among juvenile offenders, little research has explored the relationship between psychopathic traits and TBI among this population. Study objectives included: (1) examine the association between the history of a TBI and psychopathic traits among juvenile offenders and (2) determine if the history of a TBI predicts the manifestation of different psychopathic factors among juvenile offenders. Cross-sectional data from the Multidimensional Youth Residential Inventory consisted of 226 juvenile offenders. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results of linear regression analyses showed that history of a TBI significantly predicted callous unemotional and impulsive irresponsible traits. Clinical implications suggest early intervention is needed to treat the potential long-term effects of TBIs and the development of psychopathic traits. Recommendations for further research are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (22) ◽  
pp. 1796-1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max J. Hilz ◽  
Felix Aurnhammer ◽  
Steven R. Flanagan ◽  
Tassanai Intravooth ◽  
Ruihao Wang ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Sara M. Lippa ◽  
Jessica Gill ◽  
Tracey A. Brickell ◽  
Louis M. French ◽  
Rael T. Lange

Abstract Objective: This study examines the relationship of serum total tau, neurofilament light (NFL), ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) with neurocognitive performance in service members and veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Method: Service members (n = 488) with a history of uncomplicated mild (n = 172), complicated mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI (sTBI; n = 126), injured controls (n = 116), and non-injured controls (n = 74) prospectively enrolled from Military Treatment Facilities. Participants completed a blood draw and neuropsychological assessment a year or more post-injury. Six neuropsychological composite scores and presence/absence of mild neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) were evaluated. Within each group, stepwise hierarchical regression models were conducted. Results: Within the sTBI group, increased serum UCH-L1 was related to worse immediate memory and delayed memory (R2Δ = .065–.084, ps < .05) performance, while increased GFAP was related to worse perceptual reasoning (R2Δ = .030, p = .036). Unexpectedly, within injured controls, UCH-L1 and GFAP were inversely related to working memory (R2Δ = .052–.071, ps < .05), and NFL was related to executive functioning (R2Δ = .039, p = .021) and MNCD (Exp(B) = 1.119, p = .029). Conclusions: Results suggest GFAP and UCH-L1 could play a role in predicting poor cognitive outcome following complicated mild and more severe TBI. Further investigation of blood biomarkers and cognition is warranted.


QJM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 411-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Elis ◽  
M Leventer-Roberts ◽  
A Bachrach ◽  
N Lieberman ◽  
R Durst ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an under-diagnosed condition. Aim We applied standard laboratory criteria across a large longitudinal electronic medical record database to describe cross-sectional population with possible FH. Methods A cross-sectional study of Clalit Health Services members. Subjects who met the General Population MED-PED laboratory criteria, excluding: age &lt;10 years, documentation of thyroid, liver, biliary or autoimmune diseases, a history of chronic kidney disease stage 3 or greater, the presence of urine protein &gt;300 mg/l, HDL-C&gt;80 mg/dl, active malignancy or pregnancy at the time of testing were considered possible FH. Demographic and clinical characteristics are described at time of diagnosis and at a single index date following diagnosis to estimate the burden on the healthcare system. The patient population is also compared to the general population. Results The study cohort included 12 494 subjects with out of over 4.5 million members of Clalit Health Services. The estimated prevalence of FH in Israel was found to be 1:285. These patients are notably positive for, and have a family history of, cardiovascular disease and risk factors. For most of them the LDL-C levels are not controlled, and only a quarter of them are medically treated. Conclusions By using the modified MED-PED criteria in a large electronic database, patients with possible FH can be identified enabling early intervention and treatment.


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