OBJECTIVE: To identify factors related to post-traumatic amnesia of long duration. METHOD: A prospective, longitudinal study, with 187 victims of blunt head trauma, age >14 years, seen at a referral hospital for trauma. Independent variables included: age, sex, severity of head injury, location and type of injury, number of brain lesions, and use of medication with central nervous system activity or corticosteroids. RESULTS: The logistic regression model adjusted by the variable area of injury (intra / extra-axial) showed: an initial Glasgow Coma Scale of < 12 (OR = 20.17), Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale / head of >3 (OR = 2.80) and use of phenytoin (OR = 2.60), midazolam (OR = 2.83) or both drugs (OR = 3.83). CONCLUSION: The use of midazolam and phenytoin, and the severity of head injury, were identified as related factors for long-term amnesia.
Craniocerebral trauma; Head injuries, closed; Amnesia; Amnesia, transient global; Risk factors
