Risk factors associated with 1-year mortality after osteoporotic hip fracture in Hawai'i: higher mortality risk among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.

We studied factors affecting osteoporotic hip fracture mortality in Hawai'i, a region with unique geography and racial composition. Men, older adults, higher ASA score, lower BMI, and NHPI race were associated with higher mortality. This is the first study demonstrating increased mortality risk after hip fracture in NHPI patients. PURPOSE: To estimate mortality rates and identify specific risk factors associated with 1-year mortality after osteoporotic hip fracture in Hawai'i. METHODS: A retrospective review of adults (≥ 50 years) hospitalized with an osteoporotic hip fracture at a large multicenter healthcare system in Hawai'i from 2011 to 2019. The Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests examined survival probability by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, primary insurance, body mass index (BMI), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification. After accounting for potential confounders, adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained from Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: We identified 1755 cases of osteoporotic hip fracture. The cumulative mortality rate 1 year after fracture was 14.4%. Older age (aHR 3.50; 95% CI 2.13-5.76 for ≥ 90 vs 50-69), higher ASA score (aHR 5.21; 95% CI 3.09-8.77 for ASA 4-5 vs 1-2), and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) race (aHR 1.84; 95% CI 1.10-3.07 vs. White) were independently associated with higher mortality risk. Female sex (aHR 0.64; 95% CI 0.49-0.84 vs male sex) and higher BMI (aHR 0.35; 95% CI 0.18-0.68 for obese vs underweight) were associated with lower mortality risk. CONCLUSION: In our study, men, older adults, higher ASA score, lower BMI, and NHPI race were associated with significantly higher mortality risk after osteoporotic hip fracture. NHPIs are an especially vulnerable group and comprise a significant portion of Hawai'i's population. Further research is needed to address the causes of higher mortality and interventions to reduce hip fractures and associated mortality.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial skin and soft tissue infection in Hawai'i.

BACKGROUND: Hawai'i has the highest nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infection prevalence in the United States. Limited data regarding skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) due to NTM in Hawai'i exists. This study describes patient demographics, clinical courses of infection, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes of NTM SSTIs in Hawai'i. METHODS: A retrospective chart review (n = 50) of patients diagnosed and treated at Hawai'i Pacific Health facilities for NTM SSTIs between January 2010 and July 2021 was conducted. Patient demographics, clinical course, and treatment data were collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS: Half of the patient population consisted of females, and the average age of patients during infection was 49 years (SD = 25.6). The majority of cases (80%) were caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), most commonly Mycobacterium abscessus. NTM SSTI by race were Asian (48%), White (28%), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (16%). Almost all Asian patients with NTM SSTI were Filipino or Japanese. Diagnosis was frequently delayed. The average time to diagnosis was 116 days. Most patients achieved complete resolution (72%) following a prolonged course of antimicrobial treatment (mean = 196 days) with surgical debridement. CONCLUSION: Increased awareness among physicians and the community of non-mycobacterial skin infections is essential in Hawai'i due to the high prevalence of NTM and the high percentage of predisposed populations. Increased awareness of NTM could reduce delayed diagnosis and improve patient care. Further studies are required to inform optimal treatment and diagnostic strategies, improve patient outcomes, and aid public health surveillance efforts.

The Importance of Echocardiogram during the Second Week of Illness in Children with Kawasaki Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the timing of peak coronary artery dilation and the characteristics of patients who present with new-onset coronary artery dilation during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease with an initial normal echocardiogram. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study analyzed 231 children hospitalized for Kawasaki disease in Hawai'i over a period of 7 years. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected to calculate the timing of peak z score, and study subjects were compared based on the timing of coronary dilation. RESULTS: Peak coronary artery dilation was observed on average at 11.5 days from the onset of fever (median 8, IQR 7-13 days). Among study subjects with normal z scores in both coronary arteries during the initial encounter and echocardiogram (n = 164), 16 (10%) developed coronary artery dilation or aneurysm at the second echocardiogram, and 5 (3%) continued to have coronary artery dilation or aneurysm at the convalescent phase. CONCLUSIONS: A repeat echocardiogram during the second week of illness (day 7-14 from fever onset) in patients with normal initial echocardiogram could identify new-onset coronary artery dilation or aneurysm and could be useful in the timely adjustment of antithrombotic or anti-inflammatory therapies.

The Memory Assessment Scale: A Population-based Cognitive Impairment Screening Instrument.

This study re-examined the Memory Assessment Scale (MAS), a brief memory test developed in Hawai'i in 1987, to assess whether it remains a valid and reliable cognitive impairment screening tool in Hawai'i. Patients suspected of having neurocognitive dysfunction were divided into 2 groups (those with and without mild cognitive impairment) based on their results on a battery of neuropsychological tests. No differences in MAS scores were found between patients with and without mild cognitive impairment. Further research with the MAS comparing patients with mild cognitive disorder to healthy controls is indicated to further examine the efficacy of this population-based test.

Prevalence of invalid ImPACT baseline test results among high school athletes with invalidity and sandbagging indices.

Objective: The comparison of baseline neuropsychological test results with post-concussion neuropsychological test results is a common practice to assess the aftermath of a sport-related concussion. The effectiveness of this approach is compromised when invalid baseline test performances occur. The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of invalid baseline test results of high school athletes, using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Method: A large sample of 8938 high school athletes' baseline test data were examined, including the four ImPACT Composite scores and three sets of embedded invalid indices: five ImPACT Invalidity Indicators, four ImPACT sandbagging red flags, and two ImPACT sandbagging subtest flags. Results: There were 8394 (93.91%) Valid scorers, who failed no Invalidity Indicators; 544 (6.09%) Invalid scorers, who failed at least one Invalidity Indicator, 2718 (30.41%) Red Flag scorers, who had at least one Red Flag score; and 4154 (46.47%) Subtest Flag scorers, who had at least one Subtest Flag score. Of the entire sample, 4485 (54.65%) failed at least one of the invalid indices. Conclusions: As in prior studies of high school athletes, the Invalidity Indicators identified a low portion (6.09%) of the athletes with invalid baseline test results, while other invalidity measures found 30.41% to 46.48% of the athletes producing questionable test results. The high rate of invalid test findings suggested in this research calls for greater efforts to improve the accuracy of baseline test results.

Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgical Outcomes at a Community Hospital.

There is a national trend towards regionalizing complex hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgeries to high-volume institutions. Due to geographic and socioeconomic constraints, however, many patients in the United States continue to undergo HPB surgery at local community hospitals. This study evaluated complex HPB surgeries performed by a single surgeon at a low-volume community hospital from May 2007 to June 2021. A retrospective review of medical records (n=163) was done to collect data on patient demographics and outcomes. Surgical outcomes of HPB procedures were compared to published data from high-volume centers. Overall mortality within 30 days of the procedure was 1% (n=1). Using Clavien-Dindo classification, the major complication rate was 10%, including 8% grade III and 2% grade IV complications. Reoperation (2%) and readmission (3%) were rare in this population. Median length of stay was 7 days and median estimated blood loss was 500 milliliters. Surgical outcomes from the community hospital were comparable to high-volume centers. For pancreatic cancer patients treated at the community hospital, Kaplan-Meier curves revealed comparable 5-year survival time to national data. Complex HPB procedures can be safely performed at a low-volume hospital in Hawai'i with outcomes comparable to large tertiary centers.

Invalid Baseline Testing with ImPACT: Does Sandbagging Occur with High School Athletes?

The aim of this large-scale research was to determine the frequency of valid, invalid, and sandbagging results in ImPACT baseline testing of high school athletes. This retrospective study identified valid, invalid (identified by five embedded Invalidity Indicators), and sandbagging (identified by three "red flags") results in the ImPACT baseline test scores of 6,346 high school athletes. In addition, the ImPACT postconcussion scores of 266 athletes who sustained a concussion during the school year were evaluated to compare the baseline-to-postconcussion changes of valid versus a combined group of invalid and sandbagging scorers. There were 3,299 (51.99%) athletes who had valid baseline scores, 269 (4.24%) had invalid scores, and 3,009 (47.42%) had sandbagging scores. (There were 231 who obtained both invalidity and sandbagging scores.) The overall difference in baseline-to-postconcussion changes between the valid scorers and the combined group of invalid and sandbagging scorers was statistically significant. The high rate of athletes who had invalid and sandbagging scores raised concern that the underperformance of baseline testing occurs more commonly than is probably realized by those who utilize computerized neuropsychological testing with high school athletes. Accordingly, efforts are needed to improve test administration procedures so that maximal attention and effort can be maintained among the test takers. In the meantime, increased caution is called for in employing the baseline-to-postconcussion paradigm when return-to-play decisions are made.

Osteoporosis treatment rates after hip fracture 2011-2019 in Hawaii: Undertreatment of men after hip fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate trends of osteoporosis treatment rates, and factors affecting osteoporosis treatment after hip fracture admission within a single health care system in Hawaii. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients aged 50 years or older and hospitalized for hip fractures between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2019 at Hawaii Pacific Health, a large health care system in Hawaii. We collected data on basic demographics and osteoporosis medication prescription from electronic medical records. We evaluated trends of osteoporosis treatment rates and performed logistic regression to determine factors associated with osteoporosis treatment. RESULTS: The mean for treatment rates for osteoporosis from 2011 to 2019 was 17.2% (range 8.8%-26.0%). From 2011 to 2019 there was a small increase in treatment rates from 16.3% in 2011 to 24.1% in 2019. Men were less likely to receive osteoporosis treatment after admission for hip fracture. Patients discharged to a facility were more likely to receive osteoporosis treatment. As compared to women, men who had a hip fracture were less likely to receive dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, and osteoporosis medication before hip fracture admission. CONCLUSIONS: The use of osteoporosis medication for secondary prevention after admission for hip fracture in Hawaii from 2011 to 2019 was low. However, there was a small increase in treatment rates from 2011 to 2019. Disparities in treatment of osteoporosis after hip fracture were noted in men. Significant work is needed to increase treatment rates further, and to address the disparity in osteoporosis treatment between men and women.

The NEW Keiki Program Reduces BMI z-scores Among Overweight and Obese Children and BMI Among Their Adult Caregivers in Hawai'i.

The high prevalence of childhood obesity highlights the need for effective weight management interventions. This study evaluated a family-based weight management program (Nutrition+Exercise+Weight Management; NEW Keiki) in overweight and obese children and their adult caregivers. Data were collected on overweight (body mass index, BMI = 85th-94th percentile) and obese (BMI > 95th percentile) children (n = 75, 5-14 years) and their adult caregivers (n = 104). Seventy-one percent of the enrolled children identified as Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and/or Filipino (NHPI+F). Families participated weekly in a multidisciplinary lifestyle program for 8-9 weeks (intervention phase); follow-up visits occurred at 6-months and 12-months post-intervention. Long-term data (14-50 months post intervention) were collected by chart review for the children. Change in children's BMI z-score and adult BMI were analyzed. The effects of ethnicity, acceptance of government assistance, and program attendance were evaluated. Participants identifying as NHPI+F and/or receiving government assistance had higher baseline BMI z-scores and BMIs. In children, BMI z-score decreased from baseline at all evaluation visits (-0.05 at 2 months [P < .001], -0.07 at 6-month follow-up [P < .001], -0.04 at 12-month follow-up [P = .05], -0.06 at long-term follow-up [P = .01]). At the 2 month visit BMI decreased from baseline for adults (-0.39 [P < .001]). Decreases in BMI z-score and BMI were independent of program attendance, ethnicity, and acceptance of government assistance. This study, unique in its inclusion of both adults and overweight children, supports the effectiveness of a community-developed program to address weight management in an ethnically diverse population.

Osteoporotic hip fracture mortality and associated factors in Hawai'i.

The 30-day mortality of osteoporotic hip fracture patients ≥ 50 years at Hawai'i Pacific Health (2015-2016) was 4.2%. Mortality increased to 17.1% (1 year), 24.5% (2 years), and 30.1% (3 years). Increased age, male sex, higher CCI score, primary insurance status-Medicare/Medicaid, and lower BMI were associated with increased mortality. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate mortality and factors associated with mortality of osteoporotic hip fracture patients at community hospitals within a large healthcare system in Hawai'i. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 428 patients, ≥ 50 years, and hospitalized for a osteoporotic hip fracture from January 2015 to May 2016 within a large healthcare system in Hawai'i. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and treatment were collected from retrospective chart review. We determined the date of death by review of medical records and online public obituary records. We calculated 30-day, 90-day, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year mortality after discharge for hip fracture admission. Multivariable logistic regression and proportional hazards regression were used to evaluate associations between variables and the mortality of the patients. RESULTS: The 30-day and 90-day mortality after admission for hip fracture were 4.2% and 8.6%. One-year mortality, 2-year mortality, and 3-year mortality were 17.1%, 24.5%, and 30.1%, respectively. Through proportional hazards regression, older age (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.06, p < 0.001), high comorbidity load (HR = 1.30, p < 0.001), and primary insurance status-Medicare/Medicaid (HR = 3.78, p = 0.021) were associated with increased mortality, while female sex (HR = 0.54, p < 0.001) and higher BMI (HR = 0.94, p = 0.002) were associated with lower mortality. CONCLUSION: After admission for osteoporotic hip fracture, the 30-day mortality was 4.2%. At 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, mortality increased to 17.1%, 24.5%, and 30.1%, respectively. Increased age, male sex, higher Charlson comorbidity index score, primary insurance status-Medicare/Medicaid, and lower body mass index were associated with increased mortality.

Cost and Risk Analysis of Lifelong Penicillin Allergy.

Patients labeled as being penicillin-allergic require the use of alternative antibiotics. The objective of this study was to estimate the lifetime antibiotic costs of patients labeled as being penicillin allergic prior to age 10 compared with those who were not penicillin allergic and to compare antibiotic utilization between these 2 groups with regard to risks of adverse effects. Using the low end of the antibiotic cost range, penicillin-allergic patients had a mean lifetime antibiotic cost of $8171 per patient, compared with $6278 for non-penicillin-allergic patients, a difference of $1893. Penicillin-allergic patients utilized more moderate-spectrum antibiotics, more fluoroquinolones, and had a higher estimated Clostridium difficile risk.

Patterns of health care utilization of gout patients in Hawai'i-high rates of emergency department utilization as compared to rheumatoid arthritis.

Recent and comprehensive research of gout in the Pacific region and Hawai'i is significantly lacking. This study was conducted to improve the understanding of the healthcare utilization of gout patients within a single health care system in Hawai'i. The objective was to examine gout inpatient, outpatient and emergency department care within a single health care system in Hawai'i. This study was a retrospective chart review of patients, ≥ 18 years admitted to three Hawai'i Pacific Health facilities for a primary diagnosis of gout or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from 2011 to 2017. Population data for the State of Hawai'i was used to calculate visit rates per 1,000 Hawai'i adults. Trend analysis was performed to compare changes over time. We studied gout health care utilization concurrently with RA to provide an internal comparison group for the healthcare utilization patterns of interest. Gout patients were primarily managed in the outpatient setting with high rates of emergency department visits. In contrast, RA patients were primarily managed in the outpatient setting, with low rates of emergency department visits. Both gout and RA patients had low rates of inpatient admissions. The cost of gout emergency department visits was approximately 3.4 times higher than gout outpatient visits. The rates for gout emergency department visits, outpatient visits, inpatients visits, and RA outpatient visits in 2017 were trending downward and significantly changed from 2011 (p <0.05). The rates for RA emergency department visits and inpatient visits were not significantly changed from 2011-2017. Gout care in Hawai'i remains suboptimal with higher rates of emergency department visits, as compared to RA. Because emergency department visits are associated with higher cost, efforts should be made to reduce these emergency department visits to improve the quality of care.

Incidence and Risk of Concussions in Youth Athletes: Comparisons of Age, Sex, Concussion History, Sport, and Football Position.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine concussion incidence, risk, and relative risk among middle and high school athletes participating in various sports. METHOD: Data were retrospectively obtained from 10,334 athletes of 12 different sports in Hawaii. In addition to determining the overall concussion incidence, comparisons of incidence, risk, and relative risk were made according to age, sex, concussion history, sport, and football position. RESULTS: The overall incidence of concussion among youth athletes was 1,250 (12.1%). The relative risk for a concussion was almost two times greater in 18-year olds than in 13-year-old athletes. In comparable sports, girls had a 1.5 times higher concussion risk than boys. Athletes with a prior concussion had 3-5 times greater risk to sustain a concussion than those with no history of a concussion. Among varied sports, wrestling and martial arts had the highest relative risk of a concussion, followed by cheerleading, football, and track and field. No differences in concussion risks were found among the football players in different positions. CONCLUSIONS: Older youths, females, those with a history of concussion, and those participating in high contact sports were found to have higher risks of sustaining a concussion. The findings increase awareness of concussion patterns in young athletes and raise concerns regarding protective strategies and concussion management in youth sports.

Effects of repetitive subconcussive head trauma on the neuropsychological test performance of high school athletes: A comparison of high, moderate, and low contact sports.

The aim of this study was to examine the neuropsychological test results of non-concussed high school athletes playing at three different levels of contact sports. Based on the concussion risk data of 12 different sports, a High Contact group (n=2819; wrestling/martial arts, cheerleading, track and field, football), a Moderate Contact group (n=2323; softball, basketball, soccer), and a Low Contact group (n=1580; baseball, volleyball, water polo, tennis, cross-country) were formed and compared in terms of their scores on the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). The results revealed that the High Contact group obtained small but statistically poorer performances in ImPACT Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed, Impulse Control, and Total Symptom scores compared to the Moderate and Low Contact groups. The High Contact group also had poorer Reaction Time scores compared to the Low Contact group. No differences between the Moderate and Low Contact groups were noted. The findings, along with prior similar results, tentatively raise concerns that participant in high contact sports, exposed to repetitive subconcussive head trauma, may be at greater risk for lowered neuropsychological functioning and increased symptoms, compared to other high school athletes. In view of the preliminary nature of this investigation, more research into the effects of frequent head impacts in high school sports is strongly recommended.

Replacing Liquid Antibiotics With Cheaper Pill Equivalents: An Opportunity for Substantial Savings.

Liquid antibiotics are often substantially more expensive than their pill counterparts, representing an opportunity for substantial cost reductions. Children can be taught to swallow pills at about age 6 years. The objective of this study was to calculate the potential cost saved by replacing liquid antibiotics with cheaper pill equivalents for pediatric patients for the antibiotic prescriptions written by a health care system. A retrospective smart cost analysis was performed of pediatric patients within a health care system, age 6 to less than 18 years of age receiving a liquid antibiotic prescription. The estimated cost savings over the span of 2 years for 15 161 prescriptions was $1 million. In order to achieve these substantial savings, pediatricians could encourage parents to teach their children to swallow pills at a young age and prescribe cheaper pill equivalents over liquid medications at an earlier age.

Comparison of neuropsychological test scores of high school athletes in high and low contact sports: A replication study.

This replication study re-examined the neuropsychological effects of participation in high and low contact youth sports. Modeled after a recently published investigation, two contact sport groups of participants ages 12 to 18 were formed based on the rate of concussion in their respective sport, with the assumption that more head impacts and neuropsychological effects occur in high contact sports that have a greater number of reported concussions as compared with low contact sports. The preseason baseline ImPACT neuropsychological test scores and symptom scores of non-concussed youth athletes in a High Contact Sport (football, n = 139) and a Low Contact Sport (basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, paddling, and cheerleading, n = 57) were compared. The results revealed significantly poorer ImPACT test performances in visual motor speed and reaction time among high contact sport athletes compared to low contact sport athletes. No differences were found between the two groups in Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, and Total Symptom. These findings were identical to a recent study in which nonconcussed youth athletes in a high contact sport, that is, football, exhibited poorer neuropsychological test performance than their peers in low contact sports, that is, basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, and judo. This research replication verified the results of the prior study, and raises concerns that youth athletes exposed to repetitive head trauma may be at risk for lowered neuropsychological functioning, even without a reported concussive event.

Computerized neuropsychological test performance of youth football players at different positions: A comparison of high and low contact players.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of head impact frequency on the neuropsychological test results of football players who participate in different positions on the team. Based on the biomechanical measures of head impact frequency reported in high school football, a High Contact group (n = 480) consisting of offensive and defensive linemen was compared with a Low Contact group (n = 640) comprised of receivers and defensive backs. The results revealed that the High Contact group obtained poorer performances on the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) on three Composite scores (Verbal Memory, Visual Motor Speed, Impulse Control) and the Total Symptom score compared to the Low Contact group. The present study is the first, to date, to report differences in the neuropsychological test performances of athletes who participate in high and low contact football positions. The findings raise tentative concerns that youth football players exposed to repetitive head trauma, including subconcussive impacts, may be at risk for lowered neuropsychological functioning and increased symptoms.

Complementary and alternative medicine practices, traditional healing practices, and cultural competency in pediatric oncology in Hawai' i.

OBJECTIVE: Hawai'i is an ethnically diverse island state with a high rate of both traditional healing (TH) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use. The aim of this project was to assess TH and CAM use within the pediatric oncology population in Honolulu and improve the delivery of culturally competent care. METHODS: A 9-item survey was distributed to all pediatric oncology patients at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children for 3 months. The survey inquired about patient ethnicity, TH practices, CAM practices and perception of cultural competence of the care received. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the survey items. Qualitative analysis was done with participant comments to identify themes. RESULTS: Sixty-two surveys were completed. TH was used by 39% of the respondents in the home, and 10% in the hospital (top method was traditional foods). CAM was used by 27% of the respondents in the home, and 68% in the hospital (top method was healing touch). Ninety-seven percent of the respondents reported receiving culturally competent care. Areas for improvement included language services and dietary choices. CONCLUSION: CAM and TH are used frequently by pediatric oncology patients in Hawai'i, and the vast majority of patients and families felt that the care they received was culturally competent.

Recovery of Left Ventricular Function After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Compared to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Multi-Vessel Coronary Disease and Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Recovery of left ventricular (LV) function after revascularization has been described for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); however, LV recovery after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and how it compares to CABG has not been well described in the literature. The aim of this single center retrospective study was to evaluate LV recovery in patients with severely reduced LV function undergoing PCI compared to those undergoing CABG. Patients with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing revascularization with either CABG (n=16) or PCI (n=176), and with 12 months of follow up data were included in the study. LVEF at baseline exhibited significant differences between PCI (28.5 ± 8.0) and CABG (24.2 ± 6.8) groups (P=.05). LVEF recovery at 6-month follow up showed no difference between PCI and CABG groups. LVEF recovery differences at one-year follow-up was significantly different between PCI (4.82) and CABG (15.25) groups (P=.005). Patients with severely reduced LV function undergoing multivessel PCI had a statistically significant increase in LVEF over time; however patients undergoing CABG demonstrated greater gains in LVEF over the same time period. Surgical revascularization with CABG may be a procedure of choice in patients with depressed LV function and multivessel CAD.

Two-year Test-Retest Reliability of ImPACT in High School Athletes.

This research evaluated the 2-year test-retest reliability of the Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) neuropsychological battery, and clarified the need for biennial updated baseline testing of high school athletes. This study compared the baseline test scores of 212 non-concussed athletes that were obtained in Grade 9 and again 2 years later when they were in Grade 11. Regression-based methods indicated that 4 of the 5 ImPACT scores were stable over 2 years, as they fell within the 80% and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The results suggested that updating baseline testing for high school athletes after 2 years is not necessary. Further research into the consistency of computerized neuropsychological tests over 2 years with high school athletes is recommended.