PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for reduced survival in subjects with traumatic brain injury (TBI). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A retrospective follow-up of three decades included 192 subjects with TBI. Cognitive testing was carried out on average 2 years after the injury (at mean age of 39.0 years), during the years 1966-1972. Cox's regression and logistic regression analyses were used and the survival of the subjects was compared with the general population using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). RESULTS: Reduced survival was significantly associated with age at injury (p < 0.001) and vocational outcome (p = 0.003). Vocational outcome in turn was associated with age (p = 0.010), TBI severity (p < 0.001), cognitive impairment (p = 0.010), later TBIs (p = 0.007) and alcohol abuse (p = 0.015). Mortality in the younger patient group (age at death <40 years) was higher than in the general population (SMR 4.50, 95% CI = 2.02-10.01). CONCLUSIONS: A reduced working ability, influenced by age-, injury- and lifestyle-related factors, is associated with long-term survival after TBI. The mortality among younger patients is high, a finding which should be considered when planning the care after TBI.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for reduced survival in subjects with traumatic brain injury (TBI). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A retrospective follow-up of three decades included 192 subjects with TBI. Cognitive testing was carried out on average 2 years after the injury (at mean age of 39.0 years), during the years 1966-1972. Cox's regression and logistic regression analyses were used and the survival of the subjects was compared with the general population using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). RESULTS: Reduced survival was significantly associated with age at injury (p < 0.001) and vocational outcome (p = 0.003). Vocational outcome in turn was associated with age (p = 0.010), TBI severity (p < 0.001), cognitive impairment (p = 0.010), later TBIs (p = 0.007) and alcohol abuse (p = 0.015). Mortality in the younger patient group (age at death <40 years) was higher than in the general population (SMR 4.50, 95% CI = 2.02-10.01). CONCLUSIONS: A reduced working ability, influenced by age-, injury- and lifestyle-related factors, is associated with long-term survival after TBI. The mortality among younger patients is high, a finding which should be considered when planning the care after TBI.
Authors: Rachel Sayko Adams; Jessica M Ketchum; Risa Nakase-Richardson; Douglas I Katz; John D Corrigan Journal: Am J Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2021-08-01 Impact factor: 3.412