OBJECTIVE: To determine which causes of death are more frequent in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and by how much, compared with the general population. Our focus was the period beginning 1 yr after injury. DESIGN: Subjects were 2320 Californians with long-term mental disability after a TBI at age 10 yr or more, followed up between 1988 and 1997. The units of study were person-years, each linked to the subject's age, gender, level of ambulation, time since injury, and cause of death (if any) for the specific year. Observed numbers of cause-specific deaths were compared with numbers expected according to general population mortality rates. RESULTS: Mortality was higher between 1.0 and 5.0 yr postinjury than after 5.0 yr and was strongly related to reduced mobility. Death rates were elevated for circulatory diseases, respiratory diseases, choking/suffocation, and seizures, with seizure deaths being relatively frequent, even among the most ambulatory. CONCLUSIONS: Death rates for several causes are elevated in persons with long-term sequelae of TBI. The increased risk of choking/suffocation should be of interest to caregivers. Life expectancy seems to be reduced, even for patients who are fully ambulatory.
OBJECTIVE: To determine which causes of death are more frequent in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and by how much, compared with the general population. Our focus was the period beginning 1 yr after injury. DESIGN: Subjects were 2320 Californians with long-term mental disability after a TBI at age 10 yr or more, followed up between 1988 and 1997. The units of study were person-years, each linked to the subject's age, gender, level of ambulation, time since injury, and cause of death (if any) for the specific year. Observed numbers of cause-specific deaths were compared with numbers expected according to general population mortality rates. RESULTS: Mortality was higher between 1.0 and 5.0 yr postinjury than after 5.0 yr and was strongly related to reduced mobility. Death rates were elevated for circulatory diseases, respiratory diseases, choking/suffocation, and seizures, with seizure deaths being relatively frequent, even among the most ambulatory. CONCLUSIONS:Death rates for several causes are elevated in persons with long-term sequelae of TBI. The increased risk of choking/suffocation should be of interest to caregivers. Life expectancy seems to be reduced, even for patients who are fully ambulatory.
Authors: Allen W Brown; Anne M Moessner; Jay Mandrekar; Nancy N Diehl; Cynthia L Leibson; James F Malec Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2011-02-05 Impact factor: 5.269
Authors: Ryan McGrath; Orman Hall; Mark Peterson; Michael DeVivo; Allen Heinemann; Claire Kalpakjian Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2018-08-20 Impact factor: 1.985