Prediction of the level of cognitive functional independence in acute care following traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Primary objective: To determine a predictive model for cognitive functional outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at discharge from acute care.

Methods and procedure: Three hundred and thirty-five patients were included in this analysis. Variables considered were age, education, initial score on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), cerebral imaging results and the need for neurosurgical intervention.

Experimental interventions: Functional Independence Measure (FIM).

Main outcomes and results: Results of this analysis indicated better cognitive FIM at discharge from acute care settings for patients with TBI when PTA was less than 24 hours, when level of education was higher, when no parietal lesion was identified, when no neurosurgical intervention was required, for patients with TBI who were younger and who presented with a higher GCS score upon admission.

Conclusions: This model will help to plan resource allocation for treatment and discharge planning within the first weeks following TBI.

• Functional independence measure
• traumatic brain injury
• acute care