Effect of urbanicity of residence on TBI outcome at one year post-injury.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of urbanicity of residence and occurrence of medical complications on outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
A consecutive series of persons admitted for inpatient TBI rehabilitation followed for 1 year post-injury.


METHODS
Inpatient brain injury rehabilitation programme in the southeastern US.


METHODS
One hundred and eleven persons with severe (67%), moderate (18%) or mild (15%) TBI.


METHODS
Functional status at 2 year post-injury as measured by the Disability Rating Scale (DRS).


RESULTS
Functional status at follow-up was predicted by age, DRS at admission for rehabilitation, injury severity, alcohol use, continued need for medications and medical complications (validated R2 = 0.57; p < 0.0001). Urbanicity of residence was not predictive of functional status.


CONCLUSIONS
As expected, participants who experienced more medical complications and required continued use of medications had poorer functional outcomes. Contrary to expectation, more rural residents did not have poorer outcomes than persons residing in more urban areas.
Gontkovsky
Samuel T
ST
Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
Sherer
Mark
M
Nick
Todd G
TG
Nakase-Thompson
Risa
R
Yablon
Stuart A
SA
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi; D011379:Prognosis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D016896:Treatment Outcome