Article

OBJECTIVES: To investigate functioning measured with the
12-item World Health
Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) in patients with mild,
moderate and severe traumatic brain injury, and to compare patients' experiences
with assessments made by their significant others and by consultant neurologists.
METHODS: A total of 112 consecutive patients with traumatic brain injury (29
mild, 43 moderate, 40 severe) and their significant others completed a 12-item
WHODAS 2.0 survey. A neurologist assessed functioning with the International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health minimal generic set.
RESULTS: The total patient and proxy WHODAS 2.0 sum score was rated as severe,
and impairments in household tasks, learning, community life, emotional
functions, concentrating, dealing with strangers, maintaining friendships, and
working ability as around moderate in all 3 severity groups. In standing,
walking, washing, and dressing oneself the reported impairments increased from
mild in mild traumatic brain injury to moderate in severe traumatic brain injury.
A neurologist rated the overall functioning, working ability, and motor
activities most impaired in severe traumatic brain injury, while there were no
between-group differences in energy and drive functions and emotional functions.
CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic traumatic brain injury perceive a diversity of
significant difficulties in activities and participation irrespective of the
severity of the injury. We recommend assessing disability in traumatic brain
injury with the short and understandable WHODAS 2.0 scale, when planning
client-oriented services.

Langue : ANGLAIS