OBJECTIVE: to predict which characteristics of traumatic brain injury patients (age, sex, education, patient history, days of hospitalization, post-traumatic complications and indicators of the severity of trauma and cranial lesion) were risk factors for unfavorable prognosis. METHODS: Data were collected from 63 blunt trauma patients, aged 12 to 65 years old who were six months to three years post-trauma, and were receiving follow-up treatment at a trauma center. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the data and develop a model for functional status. RESULTS: Individuals who had a maximum score, five points on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) for head trauma, were 4.89 times more likely to be dependent than those who had lower scores. Trauma victims who remained hospitalized for 12 days or more were 5.76 times more likely to become dependent than those who had a shorter length of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Highest score on the AIS, and longer length of hospitalization were the major risk factors for dependency.
Brain injuries; Risk factors; Logistic models
