Neurogenic and Psychogenic Acute Postconcussion Symptoms Can Be Identified After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Objectives: As provenance of postconcussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is controversial, with similar rates found in other populations, we aimed to identify postconcussion symptoms specific to mTBI compared with controls. We also compared differences between complicated and uncomplicated mTBIs. Setting: Hospital emergency department. Participants: Adult individuals (34 individuals with complicated mTBI, 76 individuals with uncomplicated mTBI, and 47 orthopedic controls) who sought care in the emergency department and were consecutively recruited by post at 2 weeks postinjury. Main Measures: Rivermead Postconcussion Symptom Questionnaire. Preinjury factors were used as covariates. Results: Compared with orthopedic controls, complicated mTBI group reported greater severity of headaches, dizziness, and nausea, as well as concentration difficulties, suggesting that these are neurogenic. Severity of other symptoms measured on the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptom Questionnaire was not significantly different between these groups, suggesting that these are psychogenic. Differences were evident between the 2 mTBI samples on the items of dizziness, nausea, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and concentration difficulties. Conclusions: Neurogenic and psychogenic postconcussion symptoms were identified at the acute-phase postinjury. Findings suggest that treating persons with mTBI as a homogenous sample is not prudent. This should inform prognostic models and follow-up support offered after leaving the emergency department.