Citation

Himanen L, Portin R, Hamalainen P, Hurme S, Hiekkanen H, Tenovuo O. Brain Inj. 2011; 25(5): 443-452.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/02699052.2011.556580

PMID

21401369

Abstract

Primary objective: To evaluate risk factors for reduced survival in subjects with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants and methods: A retrospective follow-up of three decades included 192 subjects with TBI. Cognitive testing was carried out on average 2 years after the injury (at mean age of 39.0 years), during the years 1966-1972. Cox's regression and logistic regression analyses were used and the survival of the subjects was compared with the general population using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Results: Reduced survival was significantly associated with age at injury (p < 0.001) and vocational outcome (p = 0.003). Vocational outcome in turn was associated with age (p = 0.010), TBI severity (p < 0.001), cognitive impairment (p = 0.010), later TBIs (p = 0.007) and alcohol abuse (p = 0.015). Mortality in the younger patient group (age at death <40 years) was higher than in the general population (SMR 4.50, 95% CI = 2.02-10.01). Conclusions: A reduced working ability, influenced by age-, injury- and lifestyle-related factors, is associated with long-term survival after TBI. The mortality among younger patients is high, a finding which should be considered when planning the care after TBI.

Language: en