Endocrine Sequelae of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department: A 12-Month Study

This was a prospective cohort study. During their post-head injury admission to the ED, patients had a blood sample taken. The procedure was repeated consecutively after 3, 6 and 12 months. After 6 and 12 months, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. <b>Methods</b>: Pituitary and thyroid hormones were measured using the chemiluminescence immunoassay method and the heterogenous immunochemiluminescence method. The questionnaire used, <i>Questionnaire for the Assessment of Symptoms of Anterior Pituitary Insufficiency in Patients After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Hospitalized in the Emergency Department</i>, was designed for the purposes of this study. <b>Results:</b> Self-reported symptoms suggestive of anterior pituitary dysfunction following mTBI were not confirmed by laboratory assessment of pituitary hormones. However, after 6 months, a statistically significant correlation was found between the number of reported symptoms and prolactin levels (ρ = 0.730; <i>p</i> = 0.0013), whereas after 12 months a downward trend in free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels was observed compared with the baseline. <b>Conclusions:</b> Persistent symptoms reported by patients following mTBI at 6 and 12 months, particularly fatigue and impaired concentration, showed statistical associations with prolactin levels at 6 months and lower fT3 levels at 12 months. These findings reflect correlations identified in the statistical analysis and do not support inferences regarding causality or the presence of true PTHP.