Article

Survivors of severe traumatic brain injury have a great variety of
impairments and participation restrictions. Detailed descriptions of their
long-term outcome are critical. We aimed to assess brain injury outcome for
subjects with traumatic brain injury in terms of the International classification
of functioning, disability and health. METHODS: Four-year follow-up
of an inception cohort of adults with severe traumatic brain injury by using
face-to-face interviews with patients and proxies. RESULTS: Among 245 survivors
at 4 years, 147 were evaluated (80% male, mean age: 32.5+/-14.2 years at injury);
46 (32%) presented severe disability, 58 (40%) moderate disability, and 40 (28%)
good recovery. Most frequent somatic problems were fatigue, headaches, other
pain, and balance. One quarter of subjects had motor impairments. Rates of
cognitive complaints ranged from 25 to 68%, the most frequent being memory,
irritability, slowness and concentration. With the Hospital Anxiety and
Depression Scale, 43% had anxiety and 25% depression. Overall, 79% were
independent in daily living activities and 40 to 50% needed help for outdoor or
organizational activities on the BICRO-39. Most had regular contacts with
relatives or close friends but few contacts with colleagues or new acquaintances.
Subjects spent little time in productive activities such as working, studying,
looking after children or voluntary work. Quality of life on the QOLIBRI scale
was associated with disability level (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Management of late
brain injury needs to focus on cognitive difficulties, particularly social
skills, to enhance patient participation in life.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS