Traumatic brain injury of any severity is linked to a higher risk of work disability up to five years later, including for people with mild injuries, new research has revealed.
The study found that even mild traumatic brain injury, which accounts for most cases, was associated with an increased likelihood of being unable to return to work, suggesting longer-term support may be needed.
Work disability was defined as a medically certified reduction in work capacity, confirmed by a doctor, resulting in sick leave of more than 14 days or receipt of disability benefits.
Study author Andrea Klang said: “Traumatic brain injury can result in disability that may make it difficult to return to work, yet being employed is essential for maintaining quality of life and financial stability. While most traumatic brain injuries are mild, recovery can still be incomplete.
“For severe brain injuries, there can be lasting symptoms. Our study found no matter the severity, traumatic brain injury was associated with a higher likelihood of a person qualifying for work disability.”
The research analysed national registry data from Sweden, comparing nearly 100,000 people treated for traumatic brain injury in hospital or specialist outpatient care with almost one million people without brain injury. Participants had an average age of 39.
Those with traumatic brain injury were grouped by severity. The most severe group, representing one per cent of cases, required surgery.
A middle group, six per cent, were hospitalised for three or more days without surgery. The largest group, 93 per cent, were hospitalised for no more than two days or not at all.
Participants were followed for five years.
During that period, 72 per cent of those with the most severe injuries, 67 per cent in the middle group and 45 per cent in the lowest group experienced at least one period of work disability, compared with 26 per cent of people without brain injury.
One month after injury, after adjusting for factors including age, education and occupation, the likelihood of work disability was 43 per cent in the highest group, 29 per cent in the middle group and six per cent in the lowest group, compared with 0.5 per cent among those without brain injury.
Five years after injury, the chance of work disability was 13 per cent in the highest group, 11 per cent in the middle group and seven per cent in the lowest group, compared with four per cent in the non-injury group.
The average duration of work disability was 1,201 days for people with the most severe injuries and 526 days for those in the lowest severity group.
Across all groups, older age was linked to a higher risk of work disability.
In the middle and lowest severity groups, female sex, psychiatric conditions and substance use disorders were also associated with increased risk.
Klang said: “Our findings emphasise a need to offer long-term, individualised rehabilitation to all people with traumatic brain injuries to address any impairment.”
The researchers noted that the findings show an association rather than cause and effect, and that results from Sweden may not apply in the same way to other countries.
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