Costs Of Concussive Injuries Sustained In U.S. Rugby-7 s

PURPOSE: To investigate the medical diagnosis and procedural coding cost of concussions in U.S. rugby-7 s. METHODS: A prospective descriptive epidemiological study was conducted in the setting of the USA Rugby rugby-7 s geographic union tournament series (79 tournament-days, 2010-2015). Included in the study were tournament players (n = 164; female = 27%; male = 73%, mean age = 23.5 years) who sustained acute head injuries during matches in the RISERugby Injury Registry. Anthropometric data, injury mechanism, and other factors were tabulated by HNF injuries and sex. Risk factors were assessed through injury diagnosis and medical billing coding for concussion diagnosis, and the financial cost of tournament-treatment interventions. Following the assessment of risk factors, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) were computed after player concussion injury encounters. Financial cost (US$ = dollars) was calculated after the initial encounter, evaluation/recommendation for further treatment, and follow-up was made for each player. RESULTS: Tournament series encountered head injuries (15.1%; n = 164) most often coded as a wound and/or laceration (74%), followed by fractures (9%). Costs were most often in the form of sideline evaluation, first aid/wound care, ice/compression, and post-match cephalic imaging (n = 153). Meanwhile, 13.4% (n = 22; male = 15, female = 7) of all head injuries which were coded by the ICD-10 system as an acute concussive injury without any additional co-diagnosis. Concussions at 18.2% (n = 4) needed hospitalization and further imaging studies. The total estimated direct medical costs of concussive injuries were US$4,332 (US$197 per player concussion). CONCLUSION: Head injuries were common in our US Rugby-7 s cohort, with men being treated for concussions more than women players. Concussed players needing higher institutional care supports tournaments series will need quality acute care on the sideline to address these injuries. In addition, tackle techniques, break falls, and other interactions employed by developing women and men players, including tackles or collisions, should be reviewed in detail for injury reduction, and level and age-specific risk factors of acute head injuries should be identified. NOCSAE