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Background: Existing studies analyzing the impact of state concussion laws have found an increase in concussion-related medical encounters post-law, in some instances, such increases were observed during the pre-law period due to a potential "spillover" effect. This study assessed the effects of Ohio's concussion law, while accounting for such a "spillover" effect, on the trends in monthly rates of concussion-related medical encounters in Medicaid insured children using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) analysis.Methods: We analyzed claim data obtained from the Partners For Kids database, a pediatric accountable care organization in Ohio. Concussion-related medical encounters for Medicaid-insured children (ages 0-18 years) treated between April 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016 were selected and analyzed. We assessed pre- and post-law trends in concussion-related medical encounters using an ARIMA intervention model. We also used traditional regression methods to validate the study results.Results: A total of 16,943 concussion-related medical encounters sustained by 15,545 unique patients were included. Monthly rates of concussion-related medical encounters significantly increased from 4.64 per 10,000 member months during the pre-law period to 6.69 per 10,000 member months in the post-law period (P < 0.0001). Three upward breaks in the monthly rates of concussion-related medical encounters were observed between 2009 and 2016, with two breaks observed during the pre-law period. Specifically, the increased breakpoint observed in July 2011 (P = 0.0186) was significantly associated with an estimated 7.3% increase (95% CI: 1.1-13.7) in the rate of concussion-related medical encounters. This finding was confirmed in the Poisson regression and curve fitting models. Furthermore, a seasonal trend in concussion-related medical encounters was observed with the highest rates in September and October of each year.Conclusions: Two of the three upward breaks identified in the monthly rate of concussion-related medical encounters occurred before the enactment of Ohio's concussion law, suggesting a potential "spillover" effect. Further research is needed to confirm such an effect in children with other types of medical insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lifetime history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness (LOC) is prevalent in 21% of adult, non-institutionalised residents of Ohio. Prior history has been associated with lower incomes, inability to work and disability. The current study sought to evaluate the relationship between lifetime history and adverse health conditions., Methods: Data came from the 2014 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System, which included a state-specific module eliciting lifetime history of TBI., Results: Non-institutionalised adults living in Ohio who have had at least one TBI with LOC were more likely to report fair or poor health, more days of poor health, more days when poor health limited activities, being diagnosed with a chronic condition and having less than 7 hours of sleep per night. The relationship with increasing number of TBIs was monotonic, with the likelihood of adverse health increasing as the number increased. A similar relationship was observed for increasing severity of the worst lifetime TBI. Experiencing a first TBI before age 15 was associated with poorer health but was not statistically different than incurring a first after age 15., Conclusions: Adults who have experienced TBI with LOC in their lifetime are two to three times more likely to experience adverse health conditions when compared with same age-matched, sex-matched and race-matched adults without such history. These findings support re-examining the public health burden of TBI in light of lifetime exposure and not just the consequences of an index injury., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Objective: To investigate the relationships between indices of lifetime history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) exposure and measures of behavioral health status among Ohioans., Participants: A random sample (n = 6996) of Ohioans contacted to complete the 2014 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS)., Design: A cross-sectional survey., Main Measures: The Ohio State University TBI Identification Method adapted for BRFSS module and BRFSS behavioral indicators., Results: After demographic adjustment, lifetime history of TBI was found to be associated with increased odds of binge drinking, heavy drinking, smoking, a depressive disorder, or mental health not being good (≥2 days and ≥14 days in last 30 days). Mixed findings across behavioral indicators were observed in regard to number and severity of injury. Age at first injury showed no remarkable associations with the behavioral health indicators., Conclusions: Ohioans who have sustained at least one TBI with loss of consciousness in their lifetime are at increased risk for poor behavioral health, including alcohol misuse, smoking, and depression. The findings underscore the need for community-based mental health treatment programs to screen for TBI history in their intake evaluations, and to train clinicians on the provisions of accommodations for cognitive and behavioral deficits.

Pediatric overuse injuries present with a gradual mechanism of onset and an underlying pathogenesis of microtrauma. We evaluated the clinical presentation of pediatric sports injuries to determine if differences exist between age and sex. A retrospective chart review was performed over a 6-year period; 6593 overuse injuries were included with the mean age of 13.4 years. Males presented with a greater proportion of apophysis, physis, and articular cartilage injuries ( P < .01). Females presented with greater bone, tendon, and "other" injuries ( P < .01). Children <9 years of age demonstrated apophysis and physis injuries. Conversely, children older than 15 years of age presented with tendon, bone, bursa, and other ( P < .01) overuse injuries. A significant number of pediatric athletes in this cohort reported playing through pain prior to clinical evaluation. Injury prevention programs need to educate children, and a red flag should be raised when pediatric athletes are participating with pain.

Objective: To describe the rates and patterns of initial emergency department (ED) encounters and follow-up care for concussions among Medicaid-insured children before and after the 2013 enactment of Ohio concussion law., Study Design: Using a time-series design, this study analyzed concussion claim data obtained from Partners for Kids, a pediatric accountable-care organization in Ohio. A total of 12 512 concussions and 48 238 associated claims for services between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2017, with an initial ED encounter among Medicaid-insured children (ages 0-18 years) were analyzed. The effect of the law on the odds of follow-up care were assessed using generalized estimating equations models, adjusted for sex, age group, and residence location., Results: Of the total 12 512 concussions, 63.9% occurred in male patients, 70.1% in patients ages 10-18 years, and 65.2% in patients from urban areas. The rate of initial ED encounters for concussions increased from 2008 to 2014 (2.8 to 4.9 per 10 000 members), followed by a decrease in 2016 (4.2 per 10 000 members). A significant increase in follow-up care after the initial ED encounter was observed from pre-law to post-law (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.61, 1.86). A shift in follow-up care was observed from radiology and ambulance services in pre-law to primary care providers in post-law., Conclusions: The Ohio concussion law may have influenced the patterns of initial ED visit and follow-up care for concussions among Medicaid-insured children. Future studies evaluating the impact of the law should analyze the utilization patterns among children with various insurance/payment types., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)