Mild traumatic brain injury: factors associated with functional outcome

Abstract

Objective: To analyze clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with the functional outcome of adults with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) after approximately 6 to 12 months of hospital discharge. Method: This is an observational, cross-sectional study conducted in a public trauma referral hospital in Minas Gerais. A total of 60 individuals were included and the Glasgow Outcome Scale – Extended was applied by telephone contact. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis, using Pearson's Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact tests for categorical variables, and ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare quantitative variables with categorical variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 63.3% of participants showed good recovery, 30% complete recovery, 36.7% some disability, and 18.3% unfavorable outcome. The unfavorable outcome was associated with sex (p= 0.019), age (p= 0.005), traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (p= 0.006), length of hospital stay (p= 0.014), duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (p= 0.028), persistent post-trauma symptoms (p= 0.034), and functional rehabilitation after hospital discharge (p= 0.034). Conclusion: Most individuals with mild TBI showed good functional recovery after hospital discharge; however, more than a third remained with some degree of disability and less than a quarter had access to functional rehabilitation. These findings highlight the need to qualify and integrate health care levels, promoting more effective longitudinal monitoring and coordinated actions to reduce the functional impact of mild TBI and prevent long-term disabilities.