Incidence and risk factors of posttraumatic seizures following traumatic brain injury: A Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study

Summary Objective Determine incidence of posttraumatic seizure ( PTS ) following traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) among individuals with moderate‐to‐severe TBI requiring rehabilitation and surviving at least 5 years. Methods Using the prospective TBI Model Systems National Database, we calculated PTS incidence during acute hospitalization, and at years 1, 2, and 5 postinjury in a continuously followed cohort enrolled from 1989 to 2000 (n = 795). Incidence rates were stratified by risk factors, and adjusted relative risk ( RR ) was calculated. Late PTS associations with immediate (<24 h), early (24 h–7 day), or late seizures (>7 day) versus no seizure prior to discharge from acute hospitalization was also examined. Results PTS incidence during acute hospitalization was highest immediately (<24 h) post‐ TBI (8.9%). New onset PTS incidence was greatest between discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and year 1 (9.2%). Late PTS cumulative incidence from injury to year 1 was 11.9%, and reached 20.5% by year 5. Immediate/early PTS RR (2.04) was increased for those undergoing surgical evacuation procedures. Late PTS RR was significantly greater for individuals who self‐identified as a race other than black/white (year 1 RR = 2.22), and for black individuals (year 5 RR = 3.02) versus white individuals. Late PTS was greater for individuals with subarachnoid hemorrhage (year 1 RR = 2.06) and individuals age 23–32 (year 5 RR = 2.43) and 33–44 (year 5 RR = 3.02). Late PTS RR years 1 and 5 was significantly higher for those undergoing surgical evacuation procedures ( RR : 3.05 and 2.72, respectively). Significance In this prospective, longitudinal, observational study, PTS incidence was similar to that in studies published previously. Individuals with immediate/late seizures during acute hospitalization have increased late PTS risk. Race, intracranial pathologies, and neurosurgical procedures also influenced PTS RR . Further studies are needed to examine the impact of seizure prophylaxis in high‐risk subgroups and to delineate contributors to race/age associations on long‐term seizure outcomes.