Comparison of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems national dataset to a population-based cohort of TBI hospitalizations.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether severity alone accounts for differences observed between a population-based cohort of acute care hospitalizations for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) national dataset.


METHODS
Prospective cohort.


METHODS
Acute care hospitals in South Carolina and TBIMS rehabilitation centers.


METHODS
Subjects enrolled in the TBIMS national dataset and the South Carolina TBI Follow-up Registry (SCTBIFR).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Comparable variables in the 2 datasets included demographic characteristics, etiology of injury, initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, Abbreviated Injury Scale score for the head region derived from International Classification of Diseases codes, presence of computed tomography (CT) abnormalities, acute hospital length of stay, and payer source.


RESULTS
As hypothesized, TBIMS participants showed greater initial injury severity, frequency of abnormal CT scans, and longer lengths of acute care hospitalization, explaining over 75% of cohort membership. Counter to a priori hypotheses, when all other factors were held constant, there were also differences in racial and ethnic background and insurance payer source.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences between the TBIMS cohort and patients acutely hospitalized with TBI are primarily due to injury severity; however, an additional difference in payer source may need to be taken into account when generalizing findings. Results showed that TBIMS and SCTBIFR datasets are complementary, each having different strengths for understanding factors that impact long-term recovery after TBI. Recommendations are made for methodologic improvements in both data collection for the TBIMS and future outcome surveillance.
Corrigan
John D
JD
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. corrigan.1@osu.edu
Selassie
Anbesaw W
AW
Lineberry
Lee A
LA
Millis
Scott R
SR
Wood
Kenneth D
KD
Pickelsimer
E Elisabeth
EE
Rosenthal
Mitchell
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013022:South Carolina