Characterizing Symptoms Before and Following Concussion in Professional Hockey.
Clin J Sport Med 2022;
32:e580-e586. [PMID:
36315825 DOI:
10.1097/jsm.0000000000001065]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Examine SCAT5 baseline and acute symptom subscales in professional hockey players.
DESIGN
Longitudinal case-control.
SETTING
Preseason medical evaluations and suspected concussion evaluations.
PARTICIPANTS
NHL/AHL players were given the NHL-modified SCAT5 before the 2018-2019 season (n = 1924). During the season, English-speaking players evaluated within 1 day of injury and diagnosed with concussion (n = 140) were compared with players evaluated for possible concussion, but not given a concussion diagnosis (n = 174).
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES
Concussion diagnosis and demographic characteristics.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Postconcussion Symptoms Scale (PCSS) items were subdivided into affective/emotional, cognitive, somatic/physical, sleep, and headache subscales.
RESULTS
Cognitive (13%), somatic/physical (10%), sleep (26%), affective (18%), and headache (6%) symptoms were reported by players at baseline. Concussed players reported more acute symptoms than active controls on each of the subscales (all P's < 0.001). Players who underwent a suspected concussion evaluation were more likely to be diagnosed with concussion if they reported affective/emotional symptoms at baseline (P < 0.001). Postinjury cognitive (P < 0.001), somatic/physical (P < 0.001), and headache (P < 0.001) symptoms best differentiated concussed players and active controls.
CONCLUSIONS
Player reports of increased cognitive difficulties, somatic/physical difficulties, and headache were most associated with concussion diagnosis at the acute evaluation. An abbreviated "acute" PCSS that includes only headache, cognitive, and/or physical symptoms may be useful for diagnostic purposes when evaluation time is limited. Approximately 2% of players reported significantly elevated affective/emotional symptoms at baseline and report of affective/emotional symptoms at baseline was associated with an increased likelihood of concussion diagnosis among players referred for a suspected concussion evaluation.
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