Use of injury severity variables in determining disability and community integration after traumatic brain injury

Background: Long-term outcome is important in managing traumatic brain inju ry (TBI), an epidemic in the United States. Many injury severity variables have been shown to predict major morbidity and mortality. Less is known abo ut their relationship with specific long-term outcomes. Methods: Glasgow Coma Scale, Revised Trauma Score, Injury Severity Score, a nd Trauma and Injury Severity Score, along with other demographic and premo rbid values, were obtained for 378 consecutive patients hospitalized after TBI at a Level I trauma center between September 1997 and May 1998, Of this cohort, 120 patients were contacted for 1-year follow-up assessment with t he Disability Rating Scale, Community Integration Questionnaire, and employ ment data. Results: Univariate analyses showed these to be significant single predicto rs of 1-year outcome. Multivariate analyses revealed that the Revised Traum a Score and Glasgow Coma Scale had significant additive value in predicting injury variables Disability Rating Scale scores when combined with other d emographic and premorbid variables studied. Predictive models of 1-year out come were developed. Conclusion: Injury severity variables are significant single outcome predic tors and, in combination with premorbid and demographic variables, help pre dict long-term disability and community integration for individuals hospita lized with TBI.