%0 Journal Article
%T Rehabilitation outcomes in elderly patients with traumatic brain injury in Singapore
%J Journal of head trauma rehabilitation
%D 2008
%A Yap, Samantha G. M.
%A Chua, Karen S. G.
%V 23
%N 3
%P 158-163
%X OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize injury variables and outcomes in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) 55 years and older admitted to a tertiary rehabilitation unit. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 52 individuals with TBI covering a 4-year period. OUTCOME MEASURES: Admission and discharge Modified Barthel Index scores; total acute and rehabilitation length of stay; Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS); duration of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA); Glasgow Outcome Scale at discharge and at 6 months postinjury; Ranchos Los Amigos Scale; and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Most common mechanism of injury was falls (61.5%), and predominant computed tomographic scan finding was lobar contusion (44%). Thirty-one percent had GCS score less than 9, but 90% had PTA duration of more than 1 week. Mean length of stay in acute and rehabilitation facilities was 26.4 (SD = 15.9) days and 29.8 (SD = 14.4) days, respectively. Difference between admission and discharge Modified Barthel Index was significant (P < .001), and 90% were discharged home. There was improvement in Glasgow Outcome Scale score at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients in this cohort had severe brain injury, which may be due to a higher incidence of intracerebral hematoma. The GCS score underestimates the severity of brain injury in elderly persons with TBI; PTA duration was more representative of severity. Older patients with TBI do benefit from rehabilitation with significant functional gains and a high rate of return to home and to community.   <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
%@ 0885-9701
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.HTR.0000319932.15085.fe