[Assessment time on mental disability due to brain damage].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the best time for assessing mental disability due to brain damage.


METHODS
Ninety-three mental disabilities due to brain damage in traffic accidents were assessed and their follow-up studies were taken in different period after the brain injury: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. The patients' brain imaging, electroencephalogram (EEG) and detailed medical history were collected. Then to interview the patients' family members and to assess the patients' mental conditions with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS), and Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL). Diagnosis and disability assessments were based on all of the above information.


RESULTS
ADL and SDSS had good distinction between different levels of disability and different time. The overall sample demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between patients' ADL and SDSS averages in 9 and 12 months. For mild disability, there was no statistically significant difference between ADL and SDSS averages in 6, 9 and 12 months. For moderate disability, there was no statistically significant difference between ADL and SDSS in 9 and 12 months. And there was no statistically significant difference between ADL and SDSS averages in 6, 9 and 12 months for severe disability.


CONCLUSIONS
For mild disability, it is recommended to assess the mental disability 6 months after the injury, for moderate disability, it is 9 months. The statistics data recommended that the best assessment time for severe disability is 6 months after injury. However, our comprehensive analysis concludes that the suitable time is 9 months after injury.
Tang
Tao
T
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, P.R. China, Shanghai 200063, China.
Zhang
Qin-ting
QT
Cai
Wei-xiong
WX
Lu
Xiao
X
Huang
Fu-yin
FY
Wu
Jia-shen
JS
Wang
Jian-jun
JJ
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors