Toronto (July 2, 2019) – With concussions seeming more common than ever before, researchers at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network, set out to answer the question, "Are we looking at a true epidemic, or just better recognition?"
By embarking on the largest-scale study on concussions ever undertaken in Canada, the researchers discovered that
150,000 Ontarians (1.2 per cent of the province's population) are diagnosed with a concussion each year. That's almost twice as high as previously recorded, and may represent a closer estimate of the true picture of concussion in Ontario.
Their findings were published the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.
"Past research has looked at the incidence of concussion by examining a particular population; cause of injury; or used a single reporting source, such as records from the Emergency Department. This can under-represent estimates of the real incidence of concussion," says Laura Langer, Research Analyst and Lead Author.
"Our study revealed concussion rates that are almost double what has been previously reported, and highlights the critical importance of looking at everyone who sought medical attention for their concussion."
These more accurate estimates support the importance of ongoing awareness around concussion symptoms and management, and the need for more specialized concussion clinics near populations that need them the most.
Watch our video: Learn more about our ground-breaking research »
Concussions in Ontario – who is at risk?
By leveraging the ICES Data Repository – a province-wide archive that integrates multiple clinical and administrative health databases – the team captured an unprecedented, comprehensive, view of concussion rates in Ontario between 2008 and 2016.
Here is what they found:
- About 150,000 Ontarians experience a concussion each year
- Children under 5 experience the highest rate of concussion among all Ontarians
- Adults over 65 – especially women – experience a higher rate of concussion than younger adults
- 26% all of concussions are diagnosed in the summer
- Rural communities experience a higher rate of concussion than non-rural communities
- Though most concussions are diagnosed in the Emergency Department, more and more patients with concussion symptoms are visiting their own doctors
Epidemic or better recognition?
According to the team, the high rate of reported concussions is likely influenced by a number of factors, including increased public awareness from athletes and the media, new mandatory reporting laws, and the release of numerous diagnostic and management guidelines for physicians and patients.
Future directions
Access to the ICES Data Repository presents a unique opportunity for Ontario to be a world leader in concussion care and research.
As patients increasingly look to their own doctors for a diagnosis, the researchers identify a need to continue raising awareness about causes and symptoms, and a growing obligation to educate doctors on concussion care.
Furthermore, since about one in seven Ontarians with a concussion will experience persistent, post-concussive symptoms, it's critical to develop tools to identify who will face long-term problems, so we can individualize early treatments to prevent long-term complications.
The study was funded by, and conducted in collaboration with, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation. Toronto Rehabilitation Institute is also financially supported by the Toronto Rehab Foundation.
This study made use of de-identified data from the ICES Data Repository, which is managed by ICES, a non-profit research institute that uses population-based health information to produce knowledge on a broad range of health care issues.
About the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) is a non-profit organization funded by the Ontario government that works to prevent neurotrauma and ensure Ontarians with spinal cord and brain injuries lead full, productive lives. ONF is the leader in moving research to evidence-informed health practices that improve the quality of life and health outcomes. Through collaborations and partnerships ONF connects healthcare practitioners, researchers, policymakers and stakeholders including those living with neurotrauma to the information they need to make positive changes in health practices, outcomes and policies.
Interview our researchers and meet the patients who benefitted from early concussion treatment at Toronto Rehab's
Hull-Ellis Concussion and Research Clinic.
About Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
As the world-leading rehabilitation research centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute is developing practical solutions to prevent illness and accidents, restore function following a disabling event, and to enable people to continue to live in their own homes and communities as they age. It integrates innovative care, ground breaking research and education to build healthier communities and advance the role of rehabilitation in the health system. Toronto Rehab, along with Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is a member of the University Health Network and affiliated with the University of Toronto.
