This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25747704
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Brain blow leaves life-long dangers | Brain blow leaves life-long dangers |
(5 days later) | |
Injuries to the head can leave victims susceptible to early death even years later through impaired judgement, a major analysis of survivors shows. | Injuries to the head can leave victims susceptible to early death even years later through impaired judgement, a major analysis of survivors shows. |
Those with a history of psychiatric disorders before the injury are most at risk of dying prematurely. | Those with a history of psychiatric disorders before the injury are most at risk of dying prematurely. |
The study, in JAMA Psychiatry, of 40 years of data on more than two million people, showed that overall a brain injury trebled the risk. | The study, in JAMA Psychiatry, of 40 years of data on more than two million people, showed that overall a brain injury trebled the risk. |
Suicide and fatal injuries were among the commonest causes of early death. | Suicide and fatal injuries were among the commonest causes of early death. |
More than one million people in Europe are taken to hospital with a traumatic brain injury each year. | More than one million people in Europe are taken to hospital with a traumatic brain injury each year. |
The study, by researchers at the University of Oxford and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, looked at Swedish medical records between 1969 and 2009. | The study, by researchers at the University of Oxford and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, looked at Swedish medical records between 1969 and 2009. |
Treatable illnesses | Treatable illnesses |
They followed patients who survived the initial six-month danger period after injury. | They followed patients who survived the initial six-month danger period after injury. |
The data showed that without injury 0.2% of people were dying prematurely - before the age of 56. | The data showed that without injury 0.2% of people were dying prematurely - before the age of 56. |
However, the premature-death rate was three-fold higher in patients who had previously suffered traumatic brain injury. | However, the premature-death rate was three-fold higher in patients who had previously suffered traumatic brain injury. |
In those who also had a psychiatric disorder the rate soared to 4%. | In those who also had a psychiatric disorder the rate soared to 4%. |
Dr Seena Fazel, one of the researchers in Oxford, said: "There are these subgroups with really high rates, and these are potentially treatable illnesses, so this is something we can do something about." | Dr Seena Fazel, one of the researchers in Oxford, said: "There are these subgroups with really high rates, and these are potentially treatable illnesses, so this is something we can do something about." |
Judgement affected | Judgement affected |
Common causes of premature death among those who had suffered previous brain injury included suicide, being a victim of assault or suffering fatal injuries, for example in a car crash. | Common causes of premature death among those who had suffered previous brain injury included suicide, being a victim of assault or suffering fatal injuries, for example in a car crash. |
It is thought that the injury causes permanent damage to neural networks in the brain and can alter people's judgement and ability to deal with new situations. | It is thought that the injury causes permanent damage to neural networks in the brain and can alter people's judgement and ability to deal with new situations. |
Prof Huw Williams, the co-director of the centre for clinical neuropsychology research at the University of Exeter, said: "The mortality rates are like a reverse-iceberg - they're the most awful outcome, but the rates of depression and anxiety are huge in the brain injury population. | Prof Huw Williams, the co-director of the centre for clinical neuropsychology research at the University of Exeter, said: "The mortality rates are like a reverse-iceberg - they're the most awful outcome, but the rates of depression and anxiety are huge in the brain injury population. |
"People with head injury need monitoring all the time in case they become suicidal." | "People with head injury need monitoring all the time in case they become suicidal." |
Dr Richard Greenwood, a consultant neurologist at Homerton Hospital in London, said post-mortem examinations showed 2% of people had evidence of brain injury. | |
His wife will not let the children play rugby because of the risk to the brain. |
Previous version
1
Next version