Tau proteins in serum predict outcome after severe traumatic brain injury.
BACKGROUND
The identification of reliable outcome predictors after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is crucial. The objective of our study was to investigate the role of tau protein as a serum marker of TBI.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score at admission <or= 8) were considered. The tau protein level in the blood samples obtained at the time of admission was measured. The outcome was assessed by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 6 mo post-injury. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were analyzed to study their effect on the outcome.


RESULTS
tau Protein levels were higher in the poor outcome group (436.2 +/- 473.6 pg/mL) than in the good outcome group (51.6 +/- 81.5 pg/mL) (P < 0.0001). Univariate analyses demonstrated that poor outcome was significantly associated with a poor GCS score (P = 0.001), higher serum tau protein levels (P < 0.001), abnormal pupil light reflex (P = 0.013), and basal cistern compression on computed tomogram (CT) (P = 0.026). Multivariate analyses revealed that a poor GCS score (P = 0.049) and higher serum tau protein levels (P = 0.043) were independent prognostic factors for poor outcome. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated that a tau protein level >or= 114.5 pg/mL yielded 88% sensitivity and 94% specificity for predicting a poor outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that in addition to GCS; serum tau protein levels may serve as indicators for the prediction of outcome following severe TBI. However; it should be viewed with caution because of the small sample size and wide standard deviations.
Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Po-Chou
PC
Liliang
Cheng-Loong
CL
Liang
Hui-Ching
HC
Weng
Kang
K
Lu
Kuo-Wei
KW
Wang
Han-Jung
HJ
Chen
Jiin-Haur
JH
Chuang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D055815:Young Adult; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D016875:tau Proteins