title: Accuracy of self-reported length of coma and posttraumatic amnesia in persons with medically verified traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the accuracy of self-reported length of coma and posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) in persons with medically verified traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to investigate factors that affect self-report of length of coma and PTA duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specialized rehabilitation center with inpatient and outpatient programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Persons (N=242) with medically verified TBI who were identified from a registry of persons who had previously participated in TBI-related research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported length of coma and self-reported PTA duration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Review of medical records revealed that the mean medically documented length of coma and PTA duration was 6.9±12 and 19.2±22 days, respectively, and the mean self-reported length of coma and PTA duration was 16.7±22 and 106±194 days, respectively. The average discrepancy between self-report and medical record for length of coma and PTA duration was 8.2±21 and 64±176 days, respectively. Multivariable regression models revealed that time since injury, performance on cognitive tests, and medical record values were associated with self-reported values for both length of coma and PTA duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this investigation, persons with medically verified TBI showed poor accuracy in their self-report of length of coma and PTA duration. Discrepancies were large enough to affect injury severity classification. Caution should be exercised when considering self-report of length of coma and PTA duration.
authors.affiliation: TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Electronic address: Mark.Sherer@memorialhermann.org.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sherer
authors.affiliation: TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Center for Trauma Rehabilitation, Harris Health System, Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Angelle M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.affiliation: TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Kacey Little
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Maestas
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX.
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Pastorek
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR.
authors.forename: Todd G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Nick
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR.
authors.forename: Jingyun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000647:Amnesia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003128:Coma / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Amnesia; Brain injuries, traumatic; Coma; Rehabilitation; Self-report; Severity