Citation

Vickery CD, Sherer M, Nick TG, Nakase-Richardson R, Corrigan JD, Hammond F, Macciocchi S, Ripley DL, Sander A. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2008; 89(1): 48-55.

Affiliation

Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. cvickery@mmrcrehab.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2007.07.047

PMID

18164330

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships among intoxication at time of injury, preinjury history of problem drinking, and early functional status in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Acute inpatient TBI rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 1748 persons with TBI. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood alcohol levels (BALs) were obtained at admission to the emergency department, and a history of problem drinking was obtained through interview. Study outcomes, Disability Rating Scale (DRS), and FIM instrument scores were gathered at admission to inpatient rehabilitation. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that BAL and a history of binge drinking were predictive of DRS, but not FIM, scores. A higher BAL was associated with poorer functional status on the DRS. Paradoxically, a history of binge drinking was associated with more intact functional status on the DRS. CONCLUSIONS: The relationships among intoxication at time of injury, history of problem drinking, and early outcome after TBI were modest. Injury severity had a more significant association with TBI functional status.

Language: en