Risk of Negative Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Statewide Population-Based Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the rates of negative outcomes associated with all severities of traumatic brain injury (TBI), treated in all settings or not treated at all, in comparison to the general population.


METHODS
Coloradoans without injury, with injury but no TBI, with mild TBI but no loss of consciousness (LOC), mild TBI with LOC, moderate TBI, or severe TBI.


METHODS
Statewide population-based survey.


METHODS
Computer-assisted, modified Ohio State University TBI Identification Method; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and National Health Interview Survey questions; Satisfaction with Life Scale; and postconcussive symptoms.


RESULTS
Up to 42.5% of participants reported a lifetime history of at least 1 TBI. Multiple negative outcomes were found to increase in prevalence in a stepwise fashion in association with greater TBI severity, with the clearest patterns observed for disability, poor life satisfaction, and impaired memory.


CONCLUSIONS
Traumatic brain injury was found to be associated with disability and other negative outcomes in a general population survey. This study does not allow us to examine the proximate causes of disability, but it suggests that TBI may serve to both cause disability directly and exacerbate the influence of other etiologies. These relations should be examined in subsequent studies.
Research Department, Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado (Drs Whiteneck and Cuthbert); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (Drs Corrigan and Bogner).
Gale G
GG
Whiteneck
Jeffery P
JP
Cuthbert
John D
JD
Corrigan
Jennifer A
JA
Bogner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D003201:Computers; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004244:Dizziness / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013689:Telephone; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult