Does long-term outcome after intensive inpatient rehabilitation of acquired brain injury depend on etiology?
OBJECTIVE
To identify predictors of outcome, epilepsy, spasticity and depression one year after severe acquired brain injury.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study. A consecutive sample of 165 patients with severe acquired brain injury admitted for inpatient rehabilitation during a 18-month time period, was contacted and offered home visits one-year after brain injury. Of the 165 patients 12 did not participate. The cohort included patients with different etiologies primarily traumatic brain injury (65), stroke (25) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (34). Functional independent measure (FIM) was measured at admission at rehabilitation unit and at follow-up. At follow-up the presence of epilepsy, spasticity, and depression was evaluated.


RESULTS
Using multiple logistic regression a short length of stay at acute hospital (LOS1) (P=0.004), a high FIM score at admission (P<0.001), and low age (P=0.003), were all predictors of good outcome. No difference was found between etiologies (P=0.077). The presence of spasticity was predicted by low FIM score (P< 0.001), longer LOS1 (P< 0.036), etiology (P< 0.001), and lower age (P=0.001). Depression was predicted by higher age (P=0.035).


CONCLUSIONS
Age, functional status, and length of acute hospital stay are associated with outcome one year after brain injury. The functional outcome was not correlated to etiology.
Hammel Neurocentre, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. neujbl@sc.aaa.dk
Jakob Udby
JU
Blicher
Jørgen Feldbaek
JF
Nielsen
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome