Long term outcome following mild traumatic brain injury in Moroccan patients

Primary objectives

To describe the symptoms of chronic post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and to investigate the relationship between the persistence of these symptoms and different aspects of social life (return to work, quality of life, sport and leisure activities and family relationships) in Moroccan patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), one year after the trauma.

Methods

Forty-two adult patients who sustained MTBI were reviewed one year after trauma. We investigated the persistence of PCS by using the “Problem Checklist” questionnaire. We also assessed their quality of life using a visual analogue scale, and noted the changes in employment status, social activities and family relationships. Then, we examined whether there were significant relationships between these different data.

Results

More than half of the patients (n = 23, 54.8%) were found with persistent post-concussion symptoms at one year post-injury. Chronic PCS was significantly more common in married persons (p = 0.008) and significantly related to both non return to work (p ≤ 0.01), and QoL deterioration (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, a large proportion of persons who sustained a MTBI experienced persistent symptoms up to one year after trauma. MTBI might have significant and lasting impact on the quality of life, which is to be verified by further studies.