P0173 - Adolescent Patients With Concussions Have Higher Symptom Scores During Spring Season

Background: According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the number of adolescent students that participate in high school athletics has reached nearly 8 million with approximately 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions that occur annually. Although many sports are played year-round, no specific studies have looked at how time of year or calendar season relates to reporting of symptoms when a concussion occurs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify if symptom scores in adolescent athletes, who sustained a concussion, varied by sports season.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with a concussion in our sports medicine clinic were prospectively enrolled into a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) repository. Each symptom at the time of concussion was rated the following: 1: none, 2: mild, 3: moderate and 4: severe. Symptom score at the time of visit with the sports medicine physician was also recorded. Other demographics included if the patient played a high school sport, the month and season the concussion occurred. Seasons were based off of the California Interscholastic Federation. Fall sports (full months): August to October, winter sports: November to January, spring sports: February to April and summer sports: May to July.

Results: Five hundred and sixty four charts were reviewed. Sixty five percent (368/564) of patients were identified as playing an organized sport. Of the 368 athletes who sustained a concussion during their sports season: 35% (130/368) were in fall, 23% (84/368) were in winter, 29% (104/368) were in spring and 14% (50/368) were in summer. Patients that played sports in the spring had a significantly higher symptom score (p=0.01) then patients that played in any other season (mean fall: 20, mean winter: 21, mean spring: 25, mean summer: 22). The average amount of time between the days since date of injury and date of seeing a physician was 27 days. There was a significant decrease in symptom score at the time of seeing a physician (p<0.01) among all seasons.

Conclusion: In this adolescent population, spring was the season where patients had a higher symptom score. Identifying times of the year where concussion is most prominent can help further educate coaches and athletes in proper treatment and injury prevention.