title: A meta-analysis of functional outcome among older adults with traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine rates of functional outcomes, based on Glasgow Outcome Scale scores, among older adults (>60 years) after a traumatic brain injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extensive database search was conducted. To be included all articles were published in English, included individuals 60 years or older, explicitly stated in-hospital GCS scores and GOS scores within one year post-TBI. Data was pooled on patient characteristics, mortality rates, time to death, and study design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 11 studies were included in this review. Among individuals with severe TBI, favourable, unfavourable, and fatal outcomes were observed in 7.9% (CI 5.3%-11.8%), 13.8% (CI 10.0%-18.8%) and 79.3% (CI 73.2%-84.4%), respectively. Among those with moderate TBI, favourable, unfavourable, and fatal outcomes were observed in 32.2% (CI 18.0%-50.7%), 29.5% (CI 16.5%-47.0%), and 42.5% (CI 26.1%-60.7%), respectively. Among those with mild TBI, favourable, unfavourable, and fatal outcomes were observed in 80.5% (CI 53.2%-93.7%), 7.0% (CI 1.9%-22.7%), and 10.7% (CI 3.1%-30.9%), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has demonstrated the significant interaction between GCS and GOS among older adults. Although older adults may require aggressive and comprehensive treatment to achieve these favourable outcomes, high rates of unfavourable outcome should not justify the use of conservative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Lawson Health Research Institute, St. Joseph's Parkwood Hospital, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janzen
authors.forename: JoAnne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aubut
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Teasell
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*