Citation

Smania N, Avesani R, Roncari L, Ianes P, Girardi P, Varalta V, Gambini MG, Fiaschi A, Gandolfi M. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2013; 28(2): 131-140.

Affiliation

Department of Neurological, Neuropsychological, Morphological and Movement Sciences (Drs Smania, Roncari, Fiaschi, Varalta, and Gandolfi and Mss Ianes and Varalta), School of Specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Dr Roncari), and Department of Medicine and Public Health, Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics (Dr Girardi), University of Verona; Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Centre (CRRNC) (Drs Smania and Gandolfi and Mss Ianes and Varalta); Rehabilitation Department, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar, Verona (Drs Avesani and Ms Gambini); and IRCCS Ospedale San Camillo Venezia-Lido, Venice (Dr Fiaschi), Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0b013e31823c0127

PMID

22333677

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:: To compare demographic data, clinical data, and rate of functional and cognitive recovery in patients with severe traumatic, cerebrovascular, or anoxic acquired brain injury (ABI) and to identify factors predicting discharge home. PARTICIPANTS:: Three hundred twenty-nine patients with severe ABI (192 with traumatic, 104 with cerebrovascular, and 33 with anoxic brain injury). DESIGN:: Longitudinal prospective study of inpatients attending the intensive Rehabilitation Department of the "Sacro Cuore" Don Calabria Hospital (Negrar, Verona, Italy). MAIN MEASURES:: Etiology, sex, age, rehabilitation admission interval, rehabilitation length of stay, discharge destination, Glasgow Coma Scale, Disability Rating Scale (DRS), Glasgow Outcome Scale, Levels of Cognitive Functioning, and Functional Independence Measure. RESULTS:: Predominant etiology was traumatic; male gender was prevalent in all the etiologic groups; patients with traumatic brain injury were younger than the patients in the other groups and had shorter rehabilitation admission interval, greater functional and cognitive outcomes on all considered scales, and a higher frequency of returning home. Patients with anoxic brain injury achieved the lowest grade of functional and cognitive recovery. Age, etiology, and admission DRS score predicted return home. CONCLUSIONS:: Patients with traumatic brain injury achieved greater functional and cognitive improvements than patients with cerebrovascular and anoxic ABI. Age, etiology, and admission DRS score can assist in predicting discharge destination.

Language: en