Survival Rates from the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems
Categories: Recovery - Long Term
What is the death rate for individuals with traumatic brain injury that received rehabilitation at the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems of Care? What factors are associated with a higher risk for death?
Past Studies
Past Studies show that traumatic brain injury related death rates are the highest at the time of the initial injury. Death during the first months after injury is associated with medical complications related to the injury. The life expectancy of those who are discharged from inpatient rehabilitation and survive through the first year after injury is largely unknown.
This Study
This study included 2,178 individuals with traumatic brain injury that completed inpatient rehabilitation at one of 15 Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems sites. The researchers obtained data from the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Database and the Social Security Death Index. The researchers statistically analyzed the survival rates at the time of inpatient rehabilitation discharge and at one year after the initial injury date. The results were compared with rates of the general population.
There were 161 deaths following inpatient rehabilitation. Twenty four percent of those deaths took place between the time of inpatient rehabilitation discharge and one year after the initial injury. The researchers found that the individuals in this study were two times more likely to die than similar individuals in the general population. Additionally, it appeared that traumatic brain injury reduced the life span of the individuals by seven years. The strongest risk factors for death after one-year from the initial injury date were older age, not being employed at the time of injury, and greater disability at rehabilitation discharge.
Who May Be Affected By These Findings
Individuals with traumatic brain injury and their loved ones, healthcare providers, researchers.
Caveats
This death rate in this study is consistent with former research that found death rates to be higher for individuals with traumatic brain injury. The life span reduction in this study is higher than amounts identified in previous studies.
Bottom Line
The researchers found that the individuals in this study were two times more likely to die than similar individuals in the general population. The strongest risk factors for death after one-year from the initial injury date were older age, not being employed at the time of injury, and greater disability at rehabilitation discharge.
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Find This Study
Harrison-Felix, C., Whiteneck, G., DeVivo, M., Hammond, F. M., & Jha, A. (2004). Mortality following rehabilitation in the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems of Care. NeuroRehabilitation, 19, 45-54.
