Recurrent traumatic brain injury is predicted by the index injury occurring under the influence of alcohol
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Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
Satu Winqvist1, Heikki Luukinen, Jari Jokelainen
1Department of Neurology, University of Oulu, Finland. satu.winqvist@oulu.fi
Background:
Little is known of the role of alcohol intoxication as a risk factor for recurrent traumatic brain injuries (TBI). This study was a population-based longitudinal study to investigate this problem.
Methods:
The record linkage technique was used and data gathered from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register, hospital records and by a questionnaire of family characteristics regarding the 12 058 subjects forming the Northern Finland Birth Cohort of 1966. Excluded were TBI subjects injured before the age of 12 years.
Results:
Of the 236 patients who had survived their first (mainly mild) TBI, 21 had had a recurrent TBI and three of them two recurrent TBIs during the follow-up period (from 1978-2000). An alcohol-related first injury (RR 4.41, 95% CI 1.53-12.70) and urban place of birth (RR 4.39, 95% CI 1.68-11.48) were significant independent predictors of recurrent TBI. A significant positive correlation between the first and recurrent TBIs with respect to alcohol involvement (rs = 0.61, p = 0.003) was observed.
Conclusions:
A first TBI related to alcohol drinking is predictive of recurrent TBI, which will often similarly be alcohol-related. The risk of recurrent injury seems to extend over several years after the first TBI. To prevent recurrence, efforts should be made to identify those with an alcohol-related first TBI. A brief intervention focused on drinking habits is needed as an immediate preventive measure.
