Executive dysfunction among mild traumatic brain injured patients in Northeastern Thailand

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common neurological disorder. Cognitive impairment is a result of TBI, and executive function is impaired in various degree of injury. Few data are available for assessment of executive dysfunction in Thai patients.

Objective: Examine prevalence and factors influencing executive dysfunction among mild TBI patients in Thailand.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to determine the prevalence of 60 mild TBI patients. The patients were selected from those who were admitted at Khon Kaen Hospital between September and December 2009. Patients with previously major psychiatric or neurological disorders and currently confused or depressed were excluded. The executive function was measured by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and the data was analyzed statistically.

Results: Prevalence of executive dysfunction among the patients was 21.7%. Primary education level and low monthly salary were two factors to be associated with dysfunction. Alcohol use was associated with WCST score, but not with the dysfunction. However, severity of injury had no significant association with both the dysfunction and WCST score.

Conclusion: Executive dysfunction in mild TBI patients was high (21.7% prevalent in Northeastern Thailand). Primary education level and low monthly salary were associated with dysfunction.