Elmar Gardizi1, Robin A Hanks2, Scott R Millis2, Maritza J Figueroa3. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada. Electronic address: gardizi@uwindsor.ca. 2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI. 3. Touchstone Neurorecovery Center/Nexus Health Systems, Conroe, TX.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the unique contribution of self-reported medical comorbidity and insurance type on disability after traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Inception cohort design at 1-year follow up. SETTING: A university affiliated rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with mild-complicated to severe TBI (N=70). INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported medical comorbidities were measured using the Modified Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, while insurance type was classified as commercial or government-funded; disability was measured using the Disability Rating Scale. RESULTS: Two models were run using multiple linear regression, and the best-fitting model was selected on the basis of Bayesian information criterion. The full model, which included self-reported medical comorbidity and insurance type, was significantly better fitting than the reduced model. Participants with a longer duration of posttraumatic amnesia, more self-reported medical comorbidities, and government insurance were more likely to have higher levels of disability. Meanwhile, individual organ systems were not predictive of disability. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative effect of self-reported medical comorbidities and type of insurance coverage predict disability above and beyond well-known prognostic variables. Early assessment of medical complications and improving services provided by government-funded insurance may enhance quality of life and reduce long-term health care costs.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the unique contribution of self-reported medical comorbidity and insurance type on disability after traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Inception cohort design at 1-year follow up. SETTING: A university affiliated rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with mild-complicated to severe TBI (N=70). INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported medical comorbidities were measured using the Modified Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, while insurance type was classified as commercial or government-funded; disability was measured using the Disability Rating Scale. RESULTS: Two models were run using multiple linear regression, and the best-fitting model was selected on the basis of Bayesian information criterion. The full model, which included self-reported medical comorbidity and insurance type, was significantly better fitting than the reduced model. Participants with a longer duration of posttraumatic amnesia, more self-reported medical comorbidities, and government insurance were more likely to have higher levels of disability. Meanwhile, individual organ systems were not predictive of disability. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative effect of self-reported medical comorbidities and type of insurance coverage predict disability above and beyond well-known prognostic variables. Early assessment of medical complications and improving services provided by government-funded insurance may enhance quality of life and reduce long-term health care costs.
Authors: Sarah Majercik; Joseph Bledsoe; David Ryser; Ramona O Hopkins; Joseph E Fair; R Brock Frost; Joel MacDonald; Ryan Barrett; Susan Horn; David Pisani; Erin D Bigler; Scott Gardner; Mark Stevens; Michael J Larson Journal: J Trauma Acute Care Surg Date: 2017-01 Impact factor: 3.313
Authors: John D Corrigan; Susan D Horn; Ryan S Barrett; Randall J Smout; Jennifer Bogner; Flora M Hammond; Murray E Brandstater; Sarah Majercik Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2015-08 Impact factor: 3.966