Quality of life of victims of traumatic brain injury six months after the trauma

Daniel Vieira De Oliveira,Regina Márcia Cardoso De Sousa,Maria Do Carmo De Oliveira Ribeiro,Edilene Curvelo Hora,Rita De Cássia Almeida Vieira

doi:10.1590/s0104-11692013000400006

Daniel Vieira De Oliveira, Regina Márcia Cardoso De Sousa + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-11692013000400006

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Abstract

to describe the quality of life of victims of traumatic brain injury six months after the event and to show the relationship between the results observed and the clinical, sociodemographic and return to productivity data. data were analyzed from 47 victims assisted in a trauma reference hospital in the municipality of Aracaju and monitored in an outpatient neurosurgery clinic. The data were obtained through analysis of the patient records and structured interviews, with the application of the World Health Organization Quality of Life, brief version, questionnaire. the victims presented positive perceptions of their quality of life, and the physical domain presented the highest mean value (68.4±22.9). Among the sociodemographic characteristics, a statistically significant correlation was found between marital status and the psychological domain. However, the return to productivity was related to all the domains. the return to productivity was an important factor for the quality of life of the victims of traumatic brain injury and should direct the public policies in promoting the health of these victims.

Highlights

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is in a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide, due to its magnitude and because it affects young, productive aged people
Regarding the evolution of the consequences of TBI, the disabilities and incapacities that result from the brain injury go beyond the acute phase of treatment, being extended and modified for a long period after the traumatic event
The period of six months after the trauma has been recommended as a starting point for evaluating the long-term consequences of the TBI for the survivors, since earlier evaluations depict a period of great change in the condition of the patient and do not appropriately reflect the enduring personal and social burden of the TBI in the victim’s life[4,5,6]

Summary

Introduction

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is in a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide, due to its magnitude and because it affects young, productive aged people. Regarding the evolution of the consequences of TBI, the disabilities and incapacities that result from the brain injury go beyond the acute phase of treatment, being extended and modified for a long period after the traumatic event. Studies show a significant clinical improvement in the victims of TBI during the first six months after the traumatic event, with stability in the recovery process in the subsequent period[4,5,6]. The period of six months after the trauma has been recommended as a starting point for evaluating the long-term consequences of the TBI for the survivors, since earlier evaluations depict a period of great change in the condition of the patient and do not appropriately reflect the enduring personal and social burden of the TBI in the victim’s life[4,5,6]

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