Differences in Symptom Reporting Between Males and Females at Baseline and After a Sports-Related Concussion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

摘要: BACKGROUND: Concussion literature and treatment guidelines are inconclusive regarding the role of sex in symptom reporting at baseline post-concussion. Although empirical evidence is lacking, it generally regarded that females have a more severe symptomatic presentation than males all time-points on concussion spectrum. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine whether differences exist between (pre-season/before concussion) or post-concussion for self-reported (1) prevalence individual symptoms (2) total scores high school college athletes. DESIGN: Systematic review meta-analysis observational cohort studies; level evidence, 1. METHODS: A computerized search PubMed, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Scopus databases performed. Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies Epidemiology (MOOSE) were followed. Criteria inclusion self-report any time within spectrum, including after concussion, study sample included and/or collegiate athletes aged 12-26 years, (3) concussions occurred during participation sport, (4) separated by sex. The Quality Assessment Tool Cohort Studies, Q-Coh, utilized quality assessment. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies met criteria inclusion: seventeen had good four, acceptable quality. At baseline, significantly higher odds vision/hearing problems, headache/migraine, difficulty concentrating, energy/sleep disturbances, emotional disturbances. Post-concussion, only one demonstrated significant females, with demonstrating lower confusion males. Statistically, post-concussion, Post-Concussion Scale (PCS) Sport 2 (SCAT2), but when standard mean difference interpreted back-transformation, these results clinically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: most notably specific symptoms, very divergent. Females however, this cannot be as meaningful difference. It possible can explained normal hormonal changes associated menstrual cycle. implications findings an female's cycle needs taken into consideration making return-to-play decisions, returning completely asymptomatic may not reasonable expectation. Language: en