Long-term outcomes after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE

This research examined the long-term outcomes of rehabilitation patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS

We examined consecutive records of persons with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury who were discharged from a large rehabilitation hospital in Pennsylvania from 1973 to 1989. We interviewed consenting participants (n = 306) up to 24 years post-injury.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-rated health, activity limitations, employment, living arrangements, marital status, Community Integration Questionnaire, and use of rehabilitation services.

RESULTS

Participants were most limited in activities such as managing money and shopping. Twenty-nine per cent of our participants were working full time. There were significant relationships between activity limitations and residual cognitive impairment at follow-up. Self-rated health was correlated with most instrumental activities of daily living.

CONCLUSION

Our findings document health and function in a large post acute TBI population and implications for rehabilitation are discussed.