A study protocol for risk stratification in children with concussion (RSiCC): Theoretical framework, design, and
Karin Reuter-Rice1,2,3, Amanda N Fitterer1, Peter Duquette4
1Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Plos One
|July 18, 2024
Summary
Children experiencing concussion may have prolonged postconcussive symptoms (PCS). This study identifies risk factors for persistent PCS to improve long-term health and academic outcomes in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Neuroscience
- Public health
Background:
- One in five children experience concussion by age 16, often with longer and more severe symptoms than adults.
- Persistent postconcussive symptoms (PCS) negatively impact children's health, academics, and social well-being.
- Existing research on PCS has not longitudinally examined the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and symptom severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define novel PCS trajectory typologies in a diverse pediatric population.
- To identify associations between PCS typologies, inflammatory biomarkers, and genetic variants.
- To develop a risk stratification model for identifying children at high risk for persistent PCS and poor outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of 500 children (aged 11-17) with concussion, with near equal sex distribution.
- Longitudinal tracking of PCS trajectories and school-based impacts over one year post-injury.
- Utilizing the NIH's symptom science model and patient-reported outcomes to analyze fatigue and other responses.
Main Results:
- This section is to be filled once the study is completed and results are available.
Conclusions:
- This research is critical for identifying children at risk of persistent PCS and informing personalized management strategies.
- Developing a risk stratification model will enable early intervention, improving long-term health and academic outcomes.
- Understanding PCS trajectories and impacts is essential for reducing health disparities in pediatric concussion care.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:25Strategies for Assessing and Addressing Confounding
Confounding is a critical issue in epidemiological studies, often leading to misleading conclusions about associations between exposures and outcomes. It occurs when the relationship between the exposure and the outcome is mixed with the effects of other factors that influence the outcome. Given that, addressing confounding is of high importance for drawing accurate inferences in research.
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...