Objectives: Postconcussional syndrome (PCS) has been rarely studied among patients with head injury who are discharged directly from an emergency department (ED). This article reports initial findings regarding self-reported PCS, up to 3 months postinjury, for a sample of patients who will be prospectively followed for a total of 12 months. Hypothesis: PCS will show signs of resolution over a 3-month period postinjury, to a level and to a degree consistent with a group of admissions to the ED, having injury but no head injury. Participants: A probability sample of 145 ED admissions with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), assessed at time of injury, 1 month and 3 months postinjury, and a probability control sample of patients admitted to the ED with traumatic injury but no head injury. Methods: Mild TBI was determined on the basis of all available records and ED presentation, and was confirmed by intensive interview. Patients with injury to the head and evidence or report of LOC, PTA, or 3 or more postconcussional symptoms on the Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire were enrolled. A large battery of wellness, demographic, and psychological measures was also administered. Results: As a group, MTBI patients reported significantly more PCS symptoms than controls. For both groups, there were no significant differences in number or degree of symptomatic concerns at 1 month or 3 months postinjury. The MTBI group was divided into subgroups based on severity. For all data-collection points, no differences in number or degree of PCS symptoms were found between severity groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that there is no significant resolution of MTBI-related symptoms over the first 3 months postinjury, for patients discharged directly from the ED. For at least the first 3 months, there is no difference in reported symptoms based on assessed severity of injury.

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