Risk Factor For Prolonged Recovery Research Articles

Recovery After Sport-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes With Self-Reported Pre-Injury Migraines.

Pre-injury migraines might be a risk factor for prolonged recovery after sport-related concussion (SRC). We sought to examine whether a pre-injury history of migraines is associated with worse recovery following SRC in collegiate athletes. Data were collected through a prospective concussion surveillance system in 11 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III college athletic programs between September 2014 and March 2020. Our primary independent variable, pre-injury migraines, were self-reported by the athletes. Between those with and without migraines, the outcomes of days to return-to-learn (RTL) without academic accommodations and return-to-play (RTP) were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. Each athlete's RTL and RTP status was dichotomized (i.e., returned vs. not returned) at various time points for RTL (i.e., 7/14/21/28 days) and RTP (i.e., 14/21/28/56 days). Chi-squared tests were performed to compare the proportions of RTL and RTP status between groups. Multivariable regressions analyzed potential predictors of RTL and RTP adjusting for age, gender, prior concussions, other health conditions, and symptom severity. Of 1409 athletes with an SRC, 111 (7.9%) had a pre-injury history of migraines. Compared with those without migraines, those with migraines had longer median (interquartile range [IQR]) days to RTL (migraines = 7.0 [3.0-12.3] vs. no migraines = 5.0 [2.0-10.0], U = 53,590.5, p = 0.022). No differences were found in RTP between the two groups (migraines = 16.0 [10.0-33.0] vs. nχo migraines 15.0 [11.0-23.0], U = 38,545.0, p = 0.408). Regarding RTL, significantly lower proportions of athletes in the migraine group had fully RTL, without accommodations, at ≤14 days (77.5% vs. 85.2%, χ2 = 4.33, p = 0.037), ≤21 days (85.3% vs. 93.0%, χ2 = 7.99, p = 0.005), and ≤28 days (88.2% vs. 95.6%, χ2 = 10.60, p = 0.001). Regarding RTP, a significantly lower proportion of athletes in the migraine group RTP at ≤28 days (72.0% vs. 82.7%, χ2 = 5.40, p = 0.020) and ≤56 days (84.0% vs. 93.0%, χ2 = 8.19, p = 0.004). In a multivariable model predicting RTL that was adjusted for age, gender, acute concussion symptoms, and other health variables (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], history of mental health difficulties), pre-injury history of migraine was associated with longer RTL (β = 0.06, p = 0.030). In a multivariable model predicting RTP, pre-injury history of migraine was not associated with RTP (β = 0.04, p = 0.192). In collegiate athletes, pre-injury migraine history was independently associated with longer RTL but not RTP. When comparing the proportions of those with successful RTP by days, significantly lower proportions of those with migraines showed successful RTP at ≤28 days and ≤56 days. Futures studies should study the generalizability of our findings in other school levels.

56 Investigating the Moderating Effect of Family Psychiatric History on the Association Between Concussion History and Elevated Symptom Endorsement

Objective:Prior research has found that a greater history of concussion is associated with subtle increases in symptom endorsement. Recent work indicates that a family history of psychiatric disorder is a potential risk factor for prolonged recovery following a single injury. While greater symptom endorsement is observed among those with a personal psychiatric history, the potential role of family psychiatric history in elevated symptom endorsement in the context of repeated concussion has not been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine whether family psychiatric history moderates the association of concussion history and elevated symptom endorsement in active collegiate athletes.Participants and Methods:A total of 176 (mean age = 21.19 ± 1.63; 116 male) collegiate athletes completed this study at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Participant’s family psychiatric history was collected through a modified Family History Screen (FHS) regarding the participant’s biological parents, siblings, and children, focusing on questions relating to major depressive disorder (MDD; 3 total questions) and general psychiatric history (5 total questions). Concussion history was assessed through a semi-structured interview using American College of Rehabilitation Medicine criteria for mild traumatic brain injury. Concussion symptoms were measured via the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-5) and psychological distress was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). General linear models tested the association of the number of prior concussions with log-transformed SCAT-5 and BSI-18 scores. Additional general linear models were fit to assess the effects of number of prior concussions, family psychiatric history (MDD family history and general family history, each coded as Yes/No), and the interaction of prior concussion and family psychiatric history on log-transformed SCAT-5 and BSI-18 scores. Sex was included as a covariate in all models.Results:More prior concussions were significantly associated with greater symptom severity scores on the SCAT-5 (x2=26.87, p<0.001, unstandardized beta[B](standard error[SE])=0.25(0.05)) and BSI-18 (x2=20.94, p<0.00, B(SE)=0.19(0.04)). For the models investigating the effects of family psychiatric history, neither the main effect of MDD family history nor the MDD family history by prior concussion interaction were significant for either the SCAT-5 (ps>0.05) or BSI-18 (ps>0.05). Similarly, for the general history model, neither the main effect of general family psychiatric history nor the interaction of general family psychiatric history and number of prior concussions were significant for either the SCAT-5 (ps>0.05) or BSI-18 (ps>0.05). For both the MDD family history and general psychiatric family history models, the number of prior concussions remained positively associated with subjective symptoms on both the SCAT-5 (X2=20.10, p<0.001, and x2=23.50, p<0.001) and BSI-18 (x2=16.46, p<0.001, and x2=20.68, p<0.001).Conclusions:The results of the current study provide further evidence for a relationship between elevated sub-clinical symptom endorsement and the number of prior concussions in active, collegiate athletes. The results do not, however, support the hypothesis that the association between prior concussion and an athletes’ level of symptom endorsement are moderated by the family psychiatric history. Additional research is needed to determine what factors predispose some individuals to the adverse chronic effects of repeated concussion.

Persisting symptoms common but inability to work rare: a one-year follow-up study of Finnish hospitalised COVID-19 patients

Background Difficulties in recovery persisting for months have been reported in patients with severe COVID-19. Our aim was to investigate respiratory and overall recovery one year after hospital discharge. Methods Finnish patients hospitalised due to COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic were recruited to a survey of symptoms, quality of life (RAND-36), work status, and health care use one year after hospital discharge. Patients with lung function test and chest x-ray results available from 3-6 months after hospital discharge underwent spirometry and a chest x-ray at one year. Results Ninety-six patients responded to the one-year survey, 32 underwent spirometry and 32 a chest x-ray. Of those working full-time before COVID-19, median duration of sick leave was 40 days and 10% had not returned to work at one year. Health-care service use related to COVID-19 after discharge was reported by 79%, 50% using primary care, 34% occupational health care and 32% specialist care, respectively. Tiredness, fatigue, and physical difficulties increased in follow-up (p = 0.022–0.033). Quality of life did not change. Chest x-ray abnormalities decreased in follow-up, with an abnormal chest x-ray in 58% at 3–6 months and 25% at one year. A restrictive spirometry pattern was more common at one year (16 vs. 34%, p = 0.014). Conclusions Prolonged symptoms are common, some patients have decreased lung function, and a small minority of patients still have not returned to work one year after severe COVID-19. This calls for further research into the underlying causes and risk factors for prolonged recovery.

Sleep/Wake Disorders After Sports Concussion: Risks, Revelations, and Interventions.

Sleep-wake disturbances (SWDs) are among the most prevalent, persistent, and often disregarded sequelae of traumatic brain injury. Identification and treatment of SWDs in patients with traumatic brain injury is important and can complement other efforts to promote maximum functional recovery. SWDs can accentuate other consequences of traumatic brain injury, negatively affect mood, exacerbate pain, heighten irritability, and diminish cognitive abilities and the potential for recovery. The risk for sports injuries increases when athletes are sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation increases risk-taking behaviors, predisposing to injuries. SWDs are an independent risk factor for prolonged recovery after sports-related concussion. SWDs following sports-related concussion have been shown to impede recovery, rehabilitation, and return to preinjury activities.

Risk factors for prolonged recovery from concussion in young patients

ObjectivesFor young patients sustaining concussion, assessing recovery is vital in determining safe return to play. Identifying risk factors may aid clinicians in recognising patients at risk for prolonged recovery. The...

Multicompartmental models and diffusion abnormalities in paediatric mild traumatic brain injury.

The underlying pathophysiology of paediatric mild traumatic brain injury and the time-course for biological recovery remains widely debated, with clinical care principally informed by subjective self-report. Similarly, clinical evidence indicates that adolescence is a risk factor for prolonged recovery, but the impact of age-at-injury on biomarkers has not been determined in large, homogeneous samples. The current study collected diffusion MRI data in consecutively recruited patients (n = 203; 8-18 years old) and age and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 170) in a prospective cohort design. Patients were evaluated subacutely (1-11 days post-injury) as well as at 4 months post-injury (early chronic phase). Healthy participants were evaluated at similar times to control for neurodevelopment and practice effects. Clinical findings indicated persistent symptoms at 4 months for a significant minority of patients (22%), along with residual executive dysfunction and verbal memory deficits. Results indicated increased fractional anisotropy and reduced mean diffusivity for patients, with abnormalities persisting up to 4 months post-injury. Multicompartmental geometric models indicated that estimates of intracellular volume fractions were increased in patients, whereas estimates of free water fractions were decreased. Critically, unique areas of white matter pathology (increased free water fractions or increased neurite dispersion) were observed when standard assumptions regarding parallel diffusivity were altered in multicompartmental models to be more biologically plausible. Cross-validation analyses indicated that some diffusion findings were more reproducible when ∼70% of the total sample (142 patients, 119 controls) were used in analyses, highlighting the need for large-sample sizes to detect abnormalities. Supervised machine learning approaches (random forests) indicated that diffusion abnormalities increased overall diagnostic accuracy (patients versus controls) by ∼10% after controlling for current clinical gold standards, with each diffusion metric accounting for only a few unique percentage points. In summary, current results suggest that novel multicompartmental models are more sensitive to paediatric mild traumatic brain injury pathology, and that this sensitivity is increased when using parameters that more accurately reflect diffusion in healthy tissue. Results also indicate that diffusion data may be insufficient to achieve a high degree of objective diagnostic accuracy in patients when used in isolation, which is to be expected given known heterogeneities in pathophysiology, mechanism of injury and even criteria for diagnoses. Finally, current results indicate ongoing clinical and physiological recovery at 4 months post-injury.

Tolerance of Supervised Exercise Among Concussed Adolescents with Potential Risk Factors for Prolonged Recovery (P11-8.004)

Tolerance of Supervised Exercise Among Concussed Adolescents with Potential Risk Factors for Prolonged Recovery (P11-8.004)

The Influence of Timing of Reporting and Clinic Presentation on Concussion Recovery Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Identifying risk factors for prolonged recovery following concussion can assist clinicians with appropriate management strategies. It is thought that athletes who continue to participate following a hit to the head or body may take longer to recover following a concussion diagnosis. To systematically review the body of literature regarding the effect of delayed reporting and delayed presentation to medical providers on concussion recovery times. Systematic review with meta-analysis. PubMed, Ovid Medline, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and hand searches of reference lists. All the searches were performed in April 2020. Studies included an investigation of immediate versus delayed reporting or early versus late presentation following a concussion, were published in the past ten years, and were level 4 evidence or higher. 12 studies were included. Patients who continued play or delayed reporting their concussion had significantly longer recovery times (standardized mean difference = 0.36 days (95%CI 0.066, 0.662) than those who immediately reported or were removed from play (p = 0.017). Expressed in raw scores, those who immediately reported recovered in 5.4 days (95% CI − 10.14, − 0.75) fewer than delayed reporters. Comparable results were found for post-concussion symptom scores (p = 0.034) with immediate reporters demonstrating lower symptom severity scores. Our qualitative synthesis found patients who presented earlier to a concussion specialist tended to recover faster than those who presented later. Patients who delayed reporting or continued play had longer recovery times compared to their immediately-reporting peers. Providers should ask concussion patients approximately how long they waited to report their injury, and also focus educational efforts on encouraging immediate reporting of concussion.

Learning and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders as Risk Factors for Prolonged Concussion Recovery in Children and Adolescents.

Examine pre-existing learning disorders (LD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) as risk factors for prolonged recovery and increased symptomology following pediatric mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children/adolescents (5-17 years) with mTBI who presented to a Children's Minnesota Concussion Clinic between April 2018 and March 2019. Differences across strata of pre-existing conditions (present vs. absent) in time to recovery measures were estimated via Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses and differences in symptom trajectories were examined via linear mixed-effects regression models. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex and other confounders. In our cohort of 680 mTBI patients, those with LD (n = 70) or ADHD (n = 107) experienced significantly longer median durations of symptoms (58 and 68 days, respectively) than those without (43 days). Accordingly, LD was significantly associated with delayed symptom recovery (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.16-2.29), return to school (1.47, 1.08-2.00), and return to physical activity (1.50, 1.10-2.04). Likewise, ADHD was associated with delayed recovery (1.69, 1.28-2.23), return to school (1.52, 1.17-1.97) and physical activity (1.55, 1.19-2.01). Further, patients with LD or ADHD reported, on average, significantly more concussion symptoms and higher vision symptom scores throughout recovery versus those without. There was no evidence that concussion or vision symptom recovery trajectories varied over time between those with/without LD or ADHD (joint P-interactions > 0.05). Pre-existing LD and ADHD are risk factors for prolonged and more symptomatic mTBI recovery in youth. These results can inform clinical concussion management and recovery expectations.

Healthcare Providers' Self-Reported Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Management Practices: Findings From the 2019 DocStyles Survey.

To assess adherence to 5 key recommendations in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evidence-based guideline on pediatric mild traumatic brain injury, this article presents results from the 2019 DocStyles survey. Cross-sectional, web-based survey of 653 healthcare providers. Most healthcare providers reported adhering to the recommendations regarding the use of computed tomography and providing education and reassurance to patients and their families. However, less than half reported routinely examining their patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using age-appropriate, validated symptom scales, assessing for risk factors for prolonged recovery, and advising patients to return to noncontact, light aerobic activities within 2 to 3 days. Self-reported mTBI diagnosis, prognosis, and management practices varied by specialty. Only 3.8% of healthcare providers answered all 7 questions in a way that is most consistent with the 5 recommendations examined from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pediatric mTBI Guideline. This study highlights several important information gaps regarding pediatric mTBI diagnosis and management. Further efforts to improve adoption of guideline recommendations may be beneficial to ensure optimal outcomes for children following an mTBI.

Age and pain score before gastrointestinal endoscopies in children are predictors for post procedure pain

BackgroundGastrointestinal endoscopy may be associated with pain and anxiety. Predictors for high pain scores after endoscopies in children are not known. The aim of our study was to identify risk factors for prolonged recovery and higher pain scores after gastrointestinal endoscopy in children.MethodsAll the children that were electively admitted for gastrointestinal endoscopies were included. We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical and endoscopic data as well as information on the recovery process. A numerical rating scale and the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability Scale were used for pain scoring.ResultsDuring the study period (01/2016–10/2016), 284 children (median age 10.7 years, interquartile range 6.7–14.8) were recruited. In a univariate analysis, older age, higher pre-procedure pain scores, longer procedure durations, higher number of biopsies and longer recovery duration were associated with higher post-procedure pain scores. In a multivariate analysis higher pain scores before the procedure (OR 12.42, 95% CI 3.67–42, P < 0.001) and older age (OR 1.016, 95% CI 1.007–1.025, P < 0.001) were associated with higher pain scores after the procedure. Children with a higher pain score before the procedure also had a longer recovery period (OR 5.28, 95% CI (1.93–14.49), P = 0.001).ConclusionOlder age and higher pain score before the procedure were identified as predictors for higher pain score after pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopies. Children with these risk factors should be identified before the procedure in order to personalize their post-procedure management.

Risk factors and outcomes of prolonged recovery from delayed graft function after deceased kidney transplantation

Objective We aimed to evaluate the effect of prolonged recovery from DGF on outcomes, using a new definition of DGF recovery time, among deceased donor kidney transplant recipients with DGF, and to examine the risk factors for prolonged recovery. Methods From 2007 to 2016, 91 deceased donor kidney transplant recipients with DGF were retrospectively analyzed. DGF recovery time was defined as the time from transplantation to achieve a stable estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Recipients with a DGF recovery time greater than or equal to the median were assigned to the prolonged recovery group, while the others were assigned to the rapid recovery group. Result The median DGF recovery time was 27 days. Donor terminal eGFR was significantly lower in the prolonged recovery group (n = 46) compared with the rapid recovery group (n = 45) (median 24.9 vs. 65.4 ml/min/1.73m2, p = 0.004). The eGFR at 1 year post-transplant in the prolonged recovery group was significantly lower than that in the rapid recovery group (50.6 ± 20.0 vs. 63.5 ± 21.4 ml/min/1.73m2, p = 0.005). The risk of adverse outcomes (acute rejection, pneumonia, graft failure, and death) was significantly greater in the prolonged recovery group (hazard ratio 2.604, 95% confidence interval 1.102–6.150, p = 0.029) compared with the rapid recovery group. Conclusion Decreased donor terminal eGFR is a risk factor for prolonged recovery from DGF after deceased kidney transplantation. Prolonged DGF recovery time is associated with reduced graft function at 1-year post-transplant, and poor transplant outcome.

Pharmacologic Treatment for Depression at Injury Is Associated With Fewer Clinician Visits for Persistent Symptoms After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Medical Record Review Study

BackgroundDepression and traumatic brain injury (TBI) substantially contribute to the U.S. health care burden. Depression is a known risk factor for prolonged recovery after TBI. However, the effect of depression treatment on health care utilization has yet to be studied. ObjectiveTo examine whether an association exists between pharmacologic treatment of depression at the time of mild or concussive TBI and the number of subsequent clinician visits for persistent injury-related symptoms. DesignRetrospective medical record review. SettingTertiary care medical center. ParticipantsA total of 120 patients (mean age 45.6 years) with a history of depression who subsequently experienced a mild or concussive TBI were included. MethodsIndividuals were identified with co-occurring diagnoses of depression and mild or concussive TBI by retrospective electronic medical record review. The diagnosis of depression must have preceded the diagnosis of TBI. Main OutcomeThe number of clinician visits for postinjury symptoms were counted at 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. ResultsClinician visits for persistent injury-related symptoms were significantly fewer at all 3 time points for the group treated for depression at time of injury. ConclusionsDepressed individuals who were pharmacologically treated for depression at the time of TBI had significantly fewer clinician visits for persistent postinjury symptoms than those not pharmacologically treated for depression at the time of injury. Routine depression screening in patients with a high risk for TBI may identify a mood disorder that could contribute to persistent symptoms if left untreated, with its effective management potentially reducing health-related costs. Level of EvidenceIII

The Course of Concussion Recovery in Children 6-12 Years of Age: Experience From an Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Clinic

BackgroundCurrent concussion evidence is derived largely from teenagers and adults. Concussion in younger children occurs within the context of neuromaturation, with differing age-based pathophysiological responses to injury. Therefore, our current understanding of concussion in older children and adults is unlikely to directly apply to younger children. ObjectiveTo describe patient variables, clinical course, and factors associated with time to discharge from concussion care in children 6-12 years of age with concussion treated in an interdisciplinary rehabilitation-based concussion clinic. DesignRetrospective chart review. SettingInterdisciplinary concussion clinic at an academically affiliated rehabilitation center. PatientsChildren aged 6-12 years (n = 105; mean 10.8 years of age, 70% male) seen within 60 days of concussive injury. Main Outcome MeasurementsDescriptive statistics explored demographic, injury, and clinical features. The primary outcome measure, time to discharge from concussion care, was estimated with survival-analysis methods based on the date of discharge from the clinic. Multivariate models were used to examine factors associated with longer time to discharge. ResultsMedian time to discharge was 34 days postinjury (range 5-192 days); 75% of children were discharged within 60 days of injury. A minority reported persisting symptoms at discharge. Younger age and increased symptom burden at initial evaluation predicted longer time to discharge. ConclusionsAlthough children 6-12 years old treated in a specialty concussion clinic show variability in time to discharge from concussion care, most were discharged within 2 months after injury. Risk factors for prolonged recovery, such as younger age and greater symptom burden at initial visit, can be used when counseling families and planning interventions. There may be varying contributions, including psychosocial stressors, to ongoing symptoms in children who experience persisting symptoms after other concussion-related concerns have resolved. Future work focused on the subset of children who report persisting symptoms will be useful for developing an evidence base related to their care. Level of EvidenceII

Preliminary evidence of reduced brain network activation in patients with post-traumatic migraine following concussion.

Post-traumatic migraine (PTM) (i.e., headache, nausea, light and/or noise sensitivity) is an emerging risk factor for prolonged recovery following concussion. Concussions and migraine share similar pathophysiology characterized by specific ionic imbalances in the brain. Given these similarities, patients with PTM following concussion may exhibit distinct electrophysiological patterns, although researchers have yet to examine the electrophysiological brain activation in patients with PTM following concussion. A novel approach that may help differentiate brain activation in patients with and without PTM is brain network activation (BNA) analysis. BNA involves an algorithmic analysis applied to multichannel EEG-ERP data that provides a network map of cortical activity and quantitative data during specific tasks. A prospective, repeated measures design was used to evaluate BNA (during Go/NoGo task), EEG-ERP, cognitive performance, and concussion related symptoms at 1, 2, 3, and 4weeks post-injury intervals among athletes with a medically diagnosed concussion with PTM (n = 15) and without (NO-PTM) (n = 22); and age, sex, and concussion history matched controls without concussion (CONTROL) (n = 20). Participants with PTM had significantly reduced BNA compared to NO-PTM and CONTROLS for Go and NoGo components at 3weeks and for NoGo component at 4weeks post-injury. The PTM group also demonstrated a more prominent deviation of network activity compared to the other two groups over a longer period of time. The composite BNA algorithm may be a more sensitive measure of electrophysiological change in the brain that can augment established cognitive assessment tools for detecting impairment in individuals with PTM.

Prognosis of Ankle Syndesmosis Injury

Ankle syndesmosis injury has been associated with persistent pain and prolonged recovery; however, no predictors of prolonged recovery have been identified. The aims of this study were to establish prognosis for ankle syndesmosis injury compared with a lateral ankle sprain and to explore factors associated with prolonged recovery. Participants (n = 63) age 21 ± 3.2 yr, with acute ankle ligament injuries (diagnosed through magnetic resonance imaging), were recruited from 10 sport clubs and sports medicine and physiotherapy clinics in two Australian cities. Follow-up was until full recovery and with preinjury activity level. Time to return to play was compared between injury types using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Secondary analysis investigated putative factors that increased risk of prolonged recovery. For this analysis, participants unrecovered at 2 wk completed the following: Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ); Star Excursion Balance Test, weight-bearing lunge, and vertical jump (VJ). These variables were correlated with time to recovery using bivariate Pearson's r correlation coefficient. The median recovery time for conservatively treated ankle syndesmosis injury was 62 and 15 d for lateral sprain. The sport-specific subscale scores of the FABQ were significantly higher (P = 0.017) for the ankle syndesmosis group, whereas vertical jump height was lower for this group, (P = 0.052). No baseline variables were strong predictors (r ≥ 0.6) of recovery. Moderate correlations were found for VJ (r = -0.471, P = 0.004) and the sport-specific subscale of the FABQ (r = 0.463, P = 0.004). Conservatively treated ankle syndesmosis injuries took four times longer to recover than lateral ankle sprain. Tests such as VJ and FABQ may identify individuals at risk of prolonged recovery and allow health professionals to determine realistic and appropriate time to recovery.

Evaluation of risk factors, including fluconazole administration, for prolonged anesthetic recovery times in horses undergoing general anesthesia for ocular surgery: 81 cases (2006–2013)

OBJECTIVE--To determine risk factors for prolonged anesthetic recovery time in horses that underwent general anesthesia for ocular surgery. DESIGN--Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS--81 horses that underwent general anesthesia for ocular surgery between 2006 and 2013. PROCEDURES--Descriptive information recorded included the ocular procedure performed, concurrent fluconazole treatments, analgesic and anesthetic agents administered, procedure duration, use of sedation for recovery, and recovery time. Data were analyzed for associations between recovery time and other variables. RESULTS--81 horses met inclusion criteria. In 72 horses, anesthesia was induced with ketamine and midazolam; 16 horses treated concurrently with fluconazole had significantly longer mean recovery time (109 minutes [95% confidence interval {CI}, 94 to 124 minutes]) than did 56 horses that were not treated with fluconazole (50 minutes [95% CI, 44 to 55 minutes]). In 9 horses anesthetized with a protocol that included ketamine but did not include midazolam, there was no difference between mean recovery time in horses that either received (59 minutes [95% CI, 36 to 81 minutes]; n = 5) or did not receive (42 minutes [95% CI, 16 to 68 minutes]; 4) fluconazole. Other variables identified as risk factors for prolonged recovery included duration of anesthesia and use of acepromazine for premedication. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE--Fluconazole administration was associated with prolonged anesthetic recovery time in horses when ketamine and midazolam were used to induce anesthesia for ocular surgery. Duration of anesthesia and premedication with acepromazine were also identified as risk factors for prolonged recovery time.

Factors Associated With Prolonged Recovery After the Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries in Infants

This study aimed specifically to identify the predictors of prolonged recovery after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries in infants. The clinical records of all infants admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) between January 2000 and March 2011 after an arterial switch operation were retrospectively reviewed. The cohort was divided into a prolonged recovery group that included all patients who exceeded the 75th percentile for duration of SICU stay and a standard recovery group that included all the remaining patients. Of the 102 patients in the final analysis, 31 experienced prolonged recovery. The median SICU stay was 18 days (range, 14-58 days) for the patients in the prolonged recovery group and only 8 days (range, 5-13 days) for the patients in the standard recovery group. After univariate analysis, a stepwise logistic regression model analysis was used to compare the demographic data as well as the pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables between the two groups. Of all the variables analyzed, high postbypass serum lactate level [odds ratio (OR), 2.610; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.464-4.653; p = 0.039], need for larger volume of resuscitation fluid (OR, 3.154; 95 % CI, 1.751-5.682; p = 0.018), and noninfectious pulmonary complication (OR, 2.844; 95 % CI, 1.508-5.363; p = 0.025) were identified as independent risk factors for prolonged recovery among infants undergoing an arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

Factors Associated With Prolonged Recovery After the Fontan Operation

Mortality and major morbidity after the Fontan operation is low in the current era. However, factors contributing to prolonged postoperative recovery are not clearly understood. Data on all patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) after a Fontan operation between June 2001 and December 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. We excluded all patients who died, required Fontan takedown, or required ECMO. The study cohort was further divided into a prolonged recovery group that included patients with >75%ile for duration of mechanical ventilation or pleural drainage, and a standard recovery group which included all other patients. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to compare demographic, anatomic, and physiological variables between the prolonged and standard recovery groups. There were 226 Fontan operations performed. Of the study population (n=218), the median age was 2.61 years (1.0 to 31.9 years) and weight was 12.45 kg (8.4 to 77.5 kg). The most common diagnosis was hypoplastic left heart syndrome (n=80, 36.7%). A systemic right atrioventricular valve was present in 139 (63.7%). The lateral tunnel fenestrated Fontan was the most common surgery (n=195, 89.4%). Within the study population, 81 (38%) patients meet criteria for prolonged recovery. Univariate risk factors for prolonged recovery included higher preoperative PVR (P=0.033), longer bypass times (P=0.009), higher postbypass lactate level (P=0.017), higher postoperative central venous (P<0.001) common atrial pressure (P=0.042), inotropic score (P<0.001), and need for greater volume resuscitation during the 24 postoperative hours (>75% for the entire group; P<0.001). In a multivariable model, need for greater volume resuscitation (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.30, 6.05) was the only independent risk factor for prolonged outcome after the Fontan operation. High volume expansion in the early postoperative period is an independent risk factor for prolonged recovery. The need for high volume expansion may represent the compound effects of multiple risk factors including preoperative hemodynamics and a marked systemic inflammatory response to surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass, which in turn may mediate prolonged recovery.

Potential risk factors for prolonged recovery following whiplash injury.

A retrospective analysis of insurance data was made of 600 individuals claiming compensation for whiplash following motor vehicle accidents. Three hundred randomly selected claimants who had settled their injury claims within 9 months of the accident were compared with 300 who had settled more than 24 months after the accident. We compared the two groups to identify possible risk factors for prolonged recovery, for which settlement time greater than 24 months was a marker. Variables considered included demographic factors, type of collision, degree of vehicle damage, workers compensation, prior claim or neck disability, treatment and time to settlement. Consulting a solicitor was associated with a highly significant, four-fold increase of late settlement of the claim. A concurrent workers' compensation claim, prior neck disability and undergoing physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment were weakly associated with late settlement. The degree of damage to the vehicle (as indicated by cost of repairs) was not a significant predictor of late settlement. Late settlement may be the direct effect of legal intervention, independent of the severity of the injury. Whilst the financial benefit to the claimant of consulting a solicitor is apparent, the benefit of prolonged disability is not. It may be to the advantage of both insurers and claimants if those likely to proceed to late settlement could be recognised early and their claims settled expeditiously.