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Objective: Comorbid disorders influence the course and outcomes of rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury (TBI), yet sex- and age-related disparities in the frequency distribution of these disorders remain poorly understood. We aimed to describe comorbid disorders by the International Classification of Diseases in patients with TBI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation in Ontario, Canada over a 3-year period, by sex and age, and discuss their potential impact on rehabilitation outcomes. Results: The percentage of TBI patients with one or more comorbid disorder is higher among older (≥65 years) men and women than among those who are younger or middle-aged (<65 years). Among younger and middle-aged patients, multiple injuries and trauma, mental health conditions, and nervous system disorders were the most prevalent comorbidities. In older patients, circulatory, endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, and immune disorders were the most prevalent comorbidities. Our results suggest that a multisystem view of rehabilitation of men and women with TBI across age categories is needed to reflect the complex clinical profile of TBI patients undergoing rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children and youth with non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI) are often overlooked in regard to the need for post-injury health services. This study provided population-based data on their burden on healthcare services, including data by subtypes of nTBI, to provide the foundation for future research to inform resource allocation and healthcare planning for this population.Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was used. Children and youth with nTBI in population-based healthcare data were identified using International Classification of Diseases Version 10 codes. The rate of nTBI episodes of care, demographic and clinical characteristics, and discharge destinations from acute care and by type of nTBI were identified.Results: The rate of pediatric nTBI episodes of care was 82.3 per 100,000 (N = 17,977); the average stay in acute care was 13.4 days (SD = 25.6 days) and 35% were in intensive care units. Approximately 15% were transferred to another inpatient setting and 6% died in acute care. By subtypes of nTBI, the highest rates were among those with a diagnosis of toxic effect of substances (22.7 per 100,000), brain tumours (18.4 per 100,000), and meningitis (15.4 per 100,000). Clinical characteristics and discharge destinations from the acute care setting varied by subtype of nTBI; the proportion of patients that spent at least one day in intensive care units and the proportion discharged home ranged from 25.9% to 58.2% and from 50.6% to 76.4%, respectively.Conclusions: Children and youth with nTBI currently put an increased demand on the healthcare system. Active surveillance of and in-depth research on nTBI, including subtypes of nTBI, is needed to ensure that timely, appropriate, and targeted care is available for this pediatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is currently no active surveillance of metastatic and non-malignant brain tumours in Canada as well as data on the health service use of children and youth with brain tumours. The objective of this study was to identify pediatric primary, metastatic, benign, and unspecified brain tumours in Ontario, Canada and to describe their health service use from a population based perspective.Methods: The population based healthcare administrative databases National Ambulatory Care Reporting System and the Discharge Abstract Database were used. Patients with malignant (primary and metastatic), benign, and unspecified brain tumours in acute care between fiscal year 2003/04 and 2009/10 were identified using specified International Classification of Diseases version ten codes.Results: Between fiscal year 2003/04 and 2009/10, there were 4022 brain tumour episodes of care (18.4 per 100,000 children and youth). Malignant brain tumors had the highest rates of episodes of care (14.9 times higher than that of benign and 5.7 times higher than that of unspecified brain tumours). Compared to patients with malignant brain tumours, those with benign brain tumours spent a longer period of time in acute care (p < .05) and patients with unspecified brain tumours stayed in the intensive care units for a longer period of time (p < .0001) with a lower proportion were discharged home (p < .0001).Conclusion: Despite higher rates of malignant brain tumour episodes of care, patients with benign and unspecified brain tumours also use acute care services and post-acute services that are currently not taken into account in healthcare planning and resource allocation. Active surveillance and research of metastatic and non-malignant brain tumours that can inform the planning of healthcare services and resource allocation for this population is encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Comorbidity can affect health-care utilization and outcomes, and the results and interpretation of risk adjustment studies that attempt to predict rehabilitation utilization and outcomes are influenced by the choice of comorbidity measurement. Although the identification of an appropriate measurement has been conducted in some populations and outcomes, this information is currently lacking for the non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI) population in inpatient rehabilitation settings. As such, this is a systematic review protocol to survey the methods used to measure comorbidities in the rehabilitation setting for patients with nTBI. Methods/design: MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, Embase, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO, and Health and Psychosocial Instruments will be systematically searched using the concepts 'nTBI,' 'comorbidity,' and 'rehabilitation.' Grey matters and the reference list of eligible articles will also be searched. Study selection will be performed independently by two reviewers based on predetermined eligibility criteria through two rounds of screening using, first, the title and abstract, followed by full-text. Extracted information will include study purpose, design, and setting; data source and type; outcomes variables; statistical methods; comorbidity measurement method, rationale, justification, or validation; and results involving comorbidity. The data will be tabulated and narratively synthesized. Meta-analyses will be performed if appropriate. Systematic review registration: This protocol has not been registered with PROSPERO. Discussion: This protocol provides a systematic method for surveying current practice as well as monitoring the progress on comorbidity measurement methodology and effects of comorbidity on rehabilitation outcomes for patients with nTBI. The selection of an appropriate comorbidity measurement method has implications for the interpretation of both descriptive and risk adjustment studies, and thus, the validity of evidence used to inform planning and delivery of services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although healthcare administrative data are commonly used for traumatic brain injury (TBI) research, there is currently no consensus or consistency on the International Classification of Diseases Version 10 (ICD-10) codes used to define TBI among children and youth internationally. This study systematically reviewed the literature to explore the range of ICD-10 codes that are used to define TBI in this population. The identification of the range of ICD-10 codes to define this population in administrative data is crucial, as it has implications for policy, resource allocation, planning of healthcare services, and prevention strategies. Methods: The databases MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were systematically searched. Grey literature was searched using Grey Matters and Google. Reference lists of included articles were also searched for relevant studies. Two reviewers independently screened all titles and abstracts using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A full text screen was conducted on articles that met the first screen inclusion criteria. All full text articles that met the pre-defined inclusion criteria were included for analysis in this systematic review. Results: A total of 1,326 publications were identified through the predetermined search strategy and 32 articles/ reports met all eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review. Five articles specifically examined children and youth aged 19 years or under with TBI. ICD-10 case definitions ranged from the broad injuries to the head codes (ICD-10 S00 to S09) to concussion only (S06.0). There was overwhelming consensus on the inclusion of ICD-10 code S06, intracranial injury, while codes S00 (superficial injury of the head), S03 (dislocation, sprain, and strain of joints and ligaments of head), and S05 (injury of eye and orbit) were only used by articles that examined head injury, none of which specifically examined children and youth. Conclusion: This review provides evidence for discussion on how best to use ICD codes for different goals. This is an important first step in reaching an appropriate definition and can inform future work on reaching consensus on the ICD-10 codes to define TBI for this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acquired brain injury (ABI), which includes traumatic (TBI) and non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI), is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The objective of this study was to examine the trends, characteristics, cause of brain injury, and discharge destination of hospitalized older adults aged 65 years and older with an ABI diagnosis in a population with universal access to hospital care. The profile of characteristics of patients with TBI and nTBI causes of injury was also compared. Methods: A population based retrospective cohort study design with healthcare administrative databases was used. Data on acute care admissions were obtained from the Discharge Abstract Database and patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases - Version 10 codes for Ontario, Canada from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2010. Older adults were examined in three age groups - 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85+ years. Results: From 2003/04 to 2009/10, there were 14,518 episodes of acute care associated with a TBI code and 51, 233 episodes with a nTBI code. Overall, the rate of hospitalized TBI and nTBI episodes increased with older age groups. From 2007/08 to 2009/10, the percentage of patients that stayed in acute care for 12 days or more and the percentage of patients with delayed discharge from acute care increased with age. The most common cause of TBI was falls while the most common type of nTBI was brain tumours. The percentage of patients discharged to long term care and complex continuing care increased with age and the percentage discharged home decreased with age. In-hospital mortality also increased with age. Older adults with TBI and nTBI differed significantly in demographic and clinical characteristics and discharge destination from acute care. Conclusions: This study showed an increased rate of acute care admissions for both TBI and nTBI with age. It also provided additional support for falls prevention strategies to prevent injury leading to cognitive disability with costly human and economic consequences. Implications for increased numbers of people with ABI are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children and youth with non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI) are often overlooked in regard to the need for post-injury health services. This study provided population-based data on their burden on healthcare services, including data by subtypes of nTBI, to provide the foundation for future research to inform resource allocation and healthcare planning for this population., Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was used. Children and youth with nTBI in population-based healthcare data were identified using International Classification of Diseases Version 10 codes. The rate of nTBI episodes of care, demographic and clinical characteristics, and discharge destinations from acute care and by type of nTBI were identified., Results: The rate of pediatric nTBI episodes of care was 82.3 per 100,000 (N = 17,977); the average stay in acute care was 13.4 days (SD = 25.6 days) and 35% were in intensive care units. Approximately 15% were transferred to another inpatient setting and 6% died in acute care. By subtypes of nTBI, the highest rates were among those with a diagnosis of toxic effect of substances (22.7 per 100,000), brain tumours (18.4 per 100,000), and meningitis (15.4 per 100,000). Clinical characteristics and discharge destinations from the acute care setting varied by subtype of nTBI; the proportion of patients that spent at least one day in intensive care units and the proportion discharged home ranged from 25.9% to 58.2% and from 50.6% to 76.4%, respectively., Conclusions: Children and youth with nTBI currently put an increased demand on the healthcare system. Active surveillance of and in-depth research on nTBI, including subtypes of nTBI, is needed to ensure that timely, appropriate, and targeted care is available for this pediatric population.

Background: The case definition for traumatic brain injury (TBI) often includes 'unspecified injury to the head' diagnostic codes. However, research has shown that the inclusion of these codes leads to false positives. As such, it is important to determine the degree to which inclusion of these codes affect the overall numbers and profiles of the TBI population. The objective of this paper was to profile and compare the demographic and clinical characteristics, intention and mechanism of injury, and discharge disposition of hospitalized children and youth aged 19 years and under using (1) an inclusive TBI case definition that included 'unspecified injury to the head' diagnostic codes, (2) a restricted TBI case definition that excluded 'unspecified injury to the head 'diagnostic codes, and (3) the 'unspecified injury to the head' only case definition., Methods: The National Ambulatory Care Reporting System and the Discharge Abstract Database from Ontario, Canada, were used to identify cases between fiscal years 2003/04 and 2009/10., Results: The rate of TBI episodes of care using the inclusive case definition for TBI (2,667.2 per 100,000) was 1.65 times higher than that of the restricted case definition (1,613.3 per 100,000). 'Unspecified injury to the head' diagnostic codes made up of 39.5 % of all cases identified with the inclusive case definition. Exclusion of 'unspecified injury to the head' diagnostic code in the TBI case definition resulted in a significantly higher proportion of patients in the intensive care units (p < .0001; 18.5 % vs. 22.2 %) and discharged to a non-home setting (p < .0001; 9.9 % vs. 11.6 %)., Conclusion: Inclusion of 'unspecified injury to the head' diagnostic codes resulted in significant changes in numbers, healthcare use, and causes of TBI. Careful consideration of the inclusion of 'unspecified injury to the head' diagnostic codes in the case definition of TBI for the children and youth population is important, as it has implications for the numbers used for policy, resource allocation, prevention, and planning of healthcare services. This paper can inform future work on reaching consensus on the diagnostic codes for defining TBI in children and youth.

Background: Although healthcare administrative data are commonly used for traumatic brain injury research, there is currently no consensus or consistency on using the International Classification of Diseases version 10 codes to define traumatic brain injury among children and youth. This protocol is for a systematic review of the literature to explore the range of International Classification of Diseases version 10 codes that are used to define traumatic brain injury in this population., Methods/design: The databases MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews will be systematically searched. Grey literature will be searched using Grey Matters and Google. Reference lists of included articles will also be searched. Articles will be screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and all full-text articles that meet the predefined inclusion criteria will be included for analysis. The study selection process and reasons for exclusion at the full-text level will be presented using a PRISMA study flow diagram. Information on the data source of included studies, year and location of study, age of study population, range of incidence, and study purpose will be abstracted into a separate table and synthesized for analysis. All International Classification of Diseases version 10 codes will be listed in tables and the codes that are used to define concussion, acquired traumatic brain injury, head injury, or head trauma will be identified., Discussion: The identification of the optimal International Classification of Diseases version 10 codes to define this population in administrative data is crucial, as it has implications for policy, resource allocation, planning of healthcare services, and prevention strategies. It also allows for comparisons across countries and studies. This protocol is for a review that identifies the range and most common diagnoses used to conduct surveillance for traumatic brain injury in children and youth. This is an important first step in reaching an appropriate definition using International Classification of Diseases version 10 codes and can inform future work on reaching consensus on the codes to define traumatic brain injury for this vulnerable population.

Background: The aim of this paper is to examine factors associated with discharge destination after acquired brain injury in a publicly insured population using the Anderson Behavioral Model as a framework., Methods: We utilized a retrospective cohort design. Inpatient data from provincial acute care records from fiscal years 2003/4 to 2006/7 with a diagnostic code of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI) in Ontario, Canada were obtained for the study. Using multinomial logistic regression models, we examined predisposing, need and enabling factors from inpatient records in relation to major discharge outcomes such as discharge to home, inpatient rehabilitation and other institutionalized care., Results: Multinomial logistic regression revealed that need factors were strongly correlated with discharge destinations overall. Higher scores on the Charlson Comorbidity Index were associated with discharge to other institutionalized care in the nTBI population. Length of stay and special care days were identified as markers for severity and were both strongly positively correlated with discharge to other institutionalized care and inpatient rehabilitation, compared to discharge home, in both nTBI and TBI populations. Injury by motor vehicle collisions was found to be positively correlated with discharge to inpatient rehabilitation and other institutionalized care for patients with TBI. Controlling for need factors, rural location was associated with discharge to home versus inpatient rehabilitation., Conclusions: These findings show that need factors (Charlson Comorbidity Index, length of stay, and number of special care days) are most significant in terms of discharge destination. However, there is evidence that other factors such as rural location and access to supplemental insurance (e.g., through motor vehicle insurance) may influence discharge destination outcomes as well. These findings should be considered in creating more equitable access to healthcare services across the continuum of care.