title: Longitudinal description of the disability rating scale for individuals in the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research traumatic brain injury model systems national database.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a detailed understanding of temporal change (ie, estimated trajectories) at the individual level as measured by the Disability Rating Scale (DRS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Individual growth curve (IGC) analysis of retrospective data obtained from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems National Database.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter longitudinal database study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals with TBI (N=8816) participating in the TBI Model Systems National Database project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  The negative exponential consisting of 3 growth parameters (pseudointercept, asymptote, rate) was successfully used to predict trajectory of recovery on the DRS qualified by the following covariates: race, sex, level of education and age at admission, rehabilitation length of stay, and cognitive and motor FIM scores at rehabilitation admission. Based on these results, an interactive tool was developed to allow prediction of the trajectory of recovery for individuals and subgroups with specified characteristics on the selected covariates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the use of IGC analysis, the longitudinal trajectory of recovery on the DRS for individuals sharing common characteristics and traits can be described. This methodology allows researchers and clinicians to predict numerous individual-level trajectories through use of a web-based computer automated interactive tool.
authors.affiliation: Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO; Traumatic Brain Injury National Statistical and Data Center, Englewood, CO. Electronic address: cpretz@craighospital.org.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Pretz
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Malec
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Flora M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Hammond
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015233:Models, Statistical; D044469:Racial Groups; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: DRS; Disability Rating Scale; IGC; Longitudinal studies; NIDRR; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; RLOS; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation outcome; TBI; TBIMS; TBIMS NDB; Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems; Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Database; Traumatic brain injuries; individual growth curve; rehabilitation length of stay; traumatic brain injury