264823 Disability associated with the lifetime history of traumatic brain injury: A population-based study

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 11:29 AM - 11:47 AM

Jeff Cuthbert, MPH, MS, OT , Research Department, Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO
Gale G. Whiteneck, PhD , Research Department, Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO
John D. Corrigan, PhD , Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Jennifer Bogner, PhD , Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
To determine the nature and extent of disability after traumatic brain injury (TBI), a statewide, population-based, random-digit-dialed survey was completed by 2,701 adults. The first section of the computer assisted telephone interview gathered the lifetime history of TBI (or other traumatic injury if no TBI), using methodology based on the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method. Long term test-retest reliability was excellent for the assessment of the overall category of maximum TBI severity (ICC=0.77). Measures of health status, post-concussive symptoms, activity limitations, societal participation, and satisfaction with life were also administered to assess disability. Prevalence rates of negative outcomes on multiple disability measures were highest among people reporting TBI with loss of consciousness (Low Satisfaction with Life 0.27, Alcohol Misuse 0.19, Memory Difficulties 0.31), next highest for those reporting TBI without loss of consciousness (Low Satisfaction with Life 0.26, Alcohol Misuse 0.16, Memory Difficulties 0.25), lower for people reporting no TBI but other traumatic injuries (Low Satisfaction with Life 0.15, Alcohol Misuse 0.16, Memory Difficulties 0.19), and lowest for those reporting no injuries (Low Satisfaction with Life 0.10, Alcohol Misuse 0.12, Memory Difficulties 0.15). Examination of confidence intervals in prevalence ratios among the above groups indicates many significant differences and the difference in relative risks suggests that those differences may reflect risk attributable to TBI. This study demonstrates the potential of gathering reliable data on the lifetime history of TBI and associating the severity of TBI reported with greater prevalence of poor outcomes on a variety of measures.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the data collection process for the Colorado lifetime history of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) study. Compare the injury groups identfied during the population-based study. Demonstrate differences prevalence rates associated with the injury groups. Compare prevalence ratios between injury groups with and without TBI.

Keywords: Traumatic Brain Injury, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have acted as the lead analyst on this project, and am directly responsible for the results of this portion of the study. The focus of my education has been the analysis of large datasets, and my work is focused on applying these skills to the study of patients with Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.