Functional outcome and health-related quality of life 10 years after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury

Objectives – To describe the functional outcome and health‐related quality of life (HRQL) 10 years after moderate‐to‐severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Material and methods – A retrospective, population‐based study of 62 survivors of working‐age with moderate‐to‐severe TBI injured in 1995/1996, and hospitalized at the Trauma Referral Center in Eastern Norway. Functional status was measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale‐Extended (GOS‐E). HRQL was assessed by the SF‐36 questionnaire. Results – The mean current‐age was 40.8 years. The frequency of epilepsy was 19% and the depression rate 31%. A majority had good recovery (48%) or moderate disability (44%). Employment rate was 58%. Functional and employment status were associated with initial injury severity in contrast to HRQL. Study patients had significantly lower scores in all SF‐36 dimensions when compared with the general Norwegian population. Conclusion – At 10‐years follow‐up, our study population is still in their most productive years and affected domains should be considered in long‐term follow‐up and intervention programs.