Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Since 2005, there has been an 87% increase in concussions in high school sports. Concussions and concussion-like events are associated with a myriad of pathologies, but recently, clinical research has suggested that such events can lead to hypoparathyroidism and decreased bone mass. Specifically, research has suggested that following a concussion-like event, blood calcium may be reduced and influence bone mass and future healing from bone insults. However, a specific correlation between the loss of available blood calcium and severity of bone fractures in previously concussed individuals has yet to be identified. In this study, we will explore the clinical correlations between head trauma, specifically concussions, and the severity of bone fractures in the unique and diverse population of the Rio Grande Valley.
Methods: We conducted a Retrospective Chart Review of medical records within UTRGV Health. We evaluated medical charts that were classified with the following ICD-10 codes for concussion and concussion-like events: S06.0, S06.0X0, S06.0X1, S06.0XA, S06.0X9. For all reviewed charts, we evaluated sex, ethnicity/demographics, metabolic blood panel data, and age. ICD-10 concussion codes were cross-referenced with calcium serum levels derived by the metabolic blood panel data to determine if there is a correlation between the different criteria. Additional factors considered included: severity of the head trauma, time between the head trauma and calcium results, and relevant clinical pathologies the patients might possess. Within these parameters, seven individuals were identified and evaluated. Average calcium was determined by taking the average of all available calcium tests within the Athena database (n=20,960).
Results/Discussion: Our criteria resulted in 7 medical charts being reviewed. Age ranges for reviewed patients were 17 to 46 years old. Blood calcium levels from the reviewed charts ranged from: 9.0 to 9.6 mg/dL. The average observed blood calcium level in individuals with a history of concussion was 9.2 +/- 0.22 mg/dL compared to normal calcium values of 9.35 mg/dL. Therefore our preliminary findings suggest that concussion-like events may be linked with lower calcium levels.
Conclusion: Our data indicates that concussions may be implicated in causing a lowered serum calcium in patients, implying there may be a clinically relevant link between concussions and decreased serum calcium levels. Decreased serum calcium may be indicated as a risk factor for a plethora of other bone related illnesses, including osteoporosis and bone fractures. Further research is planned to expand the parameters of the study to include ICD-10 codes S02, S03, S07,and S09. This will allow researchers to further test if traumatic brain injury is clinically associated with a lowered serum calcium level.
Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Mentor/PI Department
Neuroscience
Recommended Citation
Butler, Hunter M.; Martin, Blake; Hensley, Jared; Wiggins, Russell; Garcia Valdez, Kevin; Harris, Chloe; and Potter-Baker, Kelsey, "The Influence of Concussions on Fracture Severity: A Retrospective Chart Review" (2024). Research Symposium. 21.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2024/posters/21
IRB Letter
Included in
The Influence of Concussions on Fracture Severity: A Retrospective Chart Review
Background: Since 2005, there has been an 87% increase in concussions in high school sports. Concussions and concussion-like events are associated with a myriad of pathologies, but recently, clinical research has suggested that such events can lead to hypoparathyroidism and decreased bone mass. Specifically, research has suggested that following a concussion-like event, blood calcium may be reduced and influence bone mass and future healing from bone insults. However, a specific correlation between the loss of available blood calcium and severity of bone fractures in previously concussed individuals has yet to be identified. In this study, we will explore the clinical correlations between head trauma, specifically concussions, and the severity of bone fractures in the unique and diverse population of the Rio Grande Valley.
Methods: We conducted a Retrospective Chart Review of medical records within UTRGV Health. We evaluated medical charts that were classified with the following ICD-10 codes for concussion and concussion-like events: S06.0, S06.0X0, S06.0X1, S06.0XA, S06.0X9. For all reviewed charts, we evaluated sex, ethnicity/demographics, metabolic blood panel data, and age. ICD-10 concussion codes were cross-referenced with calcium serum levels derived by the metabolic blood panel data to determine if there is a correlation between the different criteria. Additional factors considered included: severity of the head trauma, time between the head trauma and calcium results, and relevant clinical pathologies the patients might possess. Within these parameters, seven individuals were identified and evaluated. Average calcium was determined by taking the average of all available calcium tests within the Athena database (n=20,960).
Results/Discussion: Our criteria resulted in 7 medical charts being reviewed. Age ranges for reviewed patients were 17 to 46 years old. Blood calcium levels from the reviewed charts ranged from: 9.0 to 9.6 mg/dL. The average observed blood calcium level in individuals with a history of concussion was 9.2 +/- 0.22 mg/dL compared to normal calcium values of 9.35 mg/dL. Therefore our preliminary findings suggest that concussion-like events may be linked with lower calcium levels.
Conclusion: Our data indicates that concussions may be implicated in causing a lowered serum calcium in patients, implying there may be a clinically relevant link between concussions and decreased serum calcium levels. Decreased serum calcium may be indicated as a risk factor for a plethora of other bone related illnesses, including osteoporosis and bone fractures. Further research is planned to expand the parameters of the study to include ICD-10 codes S02, S03, S07,and S09. This will allow researchers to further test if traumatic brain injury is clinically associated with a lowered serum calcium level.