Screening for Traumatic Brain Injury in Troops Returning From Deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq

TLDR

The study aimed to preliminarily evaluate the Brief Traumatic Brain Injury Screen (BTBIS) and to highlight the need for further validation and reliability testing. A cross‑sectional study of 596 soldiers at a military base compared self‑reported probable TBI on the BTBIS with two longer questionnaires and a brief follow‑up interview. BTBIS identified more probable TBI cases than the longer instruments, and positive screens were consistently confirmed in follow‑up, suggesting the BTBIS is a promising triage tool for mass casualty settings.

Abstract

Objective Preliminary assessment of a new instrument, the Brief Traumatic Brain Injury Screen (BTBIS). Design Cross-sectional study of 596 soldiers returning from Iraq and/or Afghanistan, comparing the consistency of their reports of traumatic brain injury (TBI) across instruments with similar TBI questions, and in a brief follow-up interview. Setting Military base. Measures Self-reported probable TBI on the BTBIS and on 2 longer questionnaires, and a brief follow-up interview. Results Self-reports of probable TBI were higher on the BTBIS, than on the longer instruments. Participants who screened positive on the BTBIS generally provided consistent information about probable TBI in the follow-up interview. Conclusions In this initial study, the BTBIS demonstrated promise as part of a triage process in mass casualty situations, permitting individuals with probable TBI to self-report injury and continued symptoms. Further study, including full validation and reliability assessment, is warranted and required before these screening tools can be fully evaluated.