Cognitive Impairment in Moderate Degree Diffuse Axonal Head Injuries: Analysis of 84 Cases Using MMSE

Abstract

Background Cognitive impairment is commonly seen in traumatic brain injury survivors. Posttraumatic cognitive sequelae may be more devastating than focal motor and focal sensory deficits, and are usually left unattended.

Aim and Objective Aim of this study was to assess cognitive impairment in patients who had sustained moderate degree diffuse axonal injuries and having good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Score of 5).

Methods and Materials Prospective observational study was done from 2011 to 2015 on the patients who had sustained moderated degree diffuse brain injuries. Eighty-four cases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were studied. Patients were assessed with Mini-Mental Status Examination at discharge, end of 1 month, and at 3 months.

Result Seventy-six were males and 8 were females. Age ranged from 16 to 49 years. Note that 4.76% (4) patients had hypotension at presentation, 32.14% (27) patients had associated injuries, and 19.04% (16) patients had hyponatremia at presentation. Diabetes mellitus was seen in 34.52% (29) patients, while hypertension was seen in 14.28% (12). At 3 months’ follow-up, 19.06% (16) patients had cognitive impairment. The present study revealed that hypotension and presence of associated injuries at presentation raises the odds of having cognitive impairment by 8 and 5 times, respectively.

Conclusion Routine assessment of cognitive impairment in head injury survivors is essential as it may help in identifying cognitive deficits. Early intervention of neurorehabilitation to such patients results in better neurocognitive outcome. Hypotension and associated injuries are associated with poor cognitive outcome.

Keywords

head injury - diffuse axonal injury - cognitive impairment - Mini-Mental Status Examination

Publication History

Article published online:
11 August 2020

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