title: The five year outcome of severe blunt head injury: a relative's view.
abstract: A close relative of each of 42 severely head injured patients was interviewed at 5 years after injury, following initial study at 3, 6, and 12 months. Persisting severe deficits, in some cases worse than at 1 year, were primarily psychological and behavioural, although minor physical deficits, for example in vision, were also common. Relatives were under great strain; significantly more so than at 1 year. The best predictor of strain in the relative was the magnitude of behavioural and personality change in the patient.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D012648:Self Care; D012917:Social Adjustment