Health-related quality of life measures in patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury: a 6-year follow-up analysis
International Journal of Neuroscience, vol.135, no.6, pp.692-700, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 135 Issue: 6
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1080/00207454.2024.2327400
- Journal Name: International Journal of Neuroscience
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, Psycinfo
- Page Numbers: pp.692-700
- Keywords: Decompressive craniectomy, health-related quality of life, traumatic brain injury
- Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to assess the long-term neurological outcomes and the functionality and QoL in patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury, respectively. Materials and methods: Among the 120 patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy for severe TBI between 2002 and 2007, 101 were included based on the inclusion criteria. Long-term follow-up results (minimum 3 years) were available for 22 patients. The outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and the functionality and HRQoL were assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) (v2) and Quality of Life After Brain Injury (QoLIBRI) questionnaires. Results: Among the patients with severe TBI, 62 (61.4%) died and 39 (38.6%) were discharged to either home or a physical therapy facility. Eleven of the thirty-nine patients could not be reached and were excluded from the final analysis. The mean GOS of the remaining 28 patients was 4.14 ± 0.8 after 6.46 ± 1.64 years of follow-up. The HRQoL was assessed in 22 of the 28 patients. The HRQoL scores were lower in patients with TBI than in healthy controls. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the HRQoL scores in patients with improved GOS scores than in those with unimproved GOS scores. Conclusions: Health-related outcome scores could help clinicians understand the requirements of survivors of severe TBI to create a realistic rehabilitation target for them. QoLIBRI served as a good way of communication in these subjects.