title: Rehabilitation of acquired brain injuries: a multicentric prospective survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The rehabilitation of the persons with Severe Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is an important concern to be approached with a comprehensive program aimed to improve the recovery of patients.The efficacy of an early and intensive rehabilitation program has been shown in large number of studies. Few studies focused on the prevalence of TBI and the data are often extrapolated in indirect ways.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An analysis of the demographic characteristics of the population included in the GISCAR (Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio delle Gravi Cerebrolesioni Acquisite e Riabilitazione- Italian Group for the Study of the severe ABI) database, type and conditions associated to the index event; the treatment administered during hospitalization; and the prognosis according to outcome measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was an observational prospective survey looking at management of ABI (both traumatic and non-traumatic).
  
  
  METHODS
  In hospital rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients consecutively admitted in each of the 52 GISCAR centres.
  
  
  METHODS
  Every centre included a consecutive cohort and recorded demographic data and index event characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the study population were included 2626 subjects suffering of a severe ABI. The difference of length of stay (LOS) was significantly different with 67.5 days for traumatic patients compared to the 80 days of non traumatic ones. In the study population the probability of discharge at home is significantly greater for the traumatic condition (odds ratio 0,4587; CI 0.3671-0.5731). The overall benefit of the rehabilitative treatment was encountered in a net gain in all disability scores taken into account: LCF classes; DRS as well as GOS scores. At discharge the main destination for severe ABI patients was home (67.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large number of patients admitted in Italian rehabilitative facilities for a severe ABI suffered from a TBI, more often these subjects were young male victims of road accident. The majority of subjects during the rehabilitative hospitalization demonstrated a significant recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the evidence of an early treatment benefit the delay ofthe rehabilitation program start is far from being satisfactory. The high frequency of the home discharge indicate a good compliance of national family network.
authors: Operative Unit of Severe Acquired Brain Lesions, Asl 3 Umbria, Foligno, Perugia, Italy - m.zampolini@asl3.umbria.it.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Zampolini
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Corea
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Avesani
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Boldrini
authors: A
authors: A
authors: De Tanti
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Di Stefano
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Formisano
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Lamberti
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Lombardi
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mazzucchi
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pistarini
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Taricco
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Citterio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution