Long-term disabilities after traumatic head injury (THI): a retrospective analysis from a large level-I trauma center in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundTraumatic head injuries (THI) are a critical public health problem worldwide, with more than 10 million individuals affected every year. In Saudi Arabia (SA), the burden of THI is unknown even though injury is the leading cause of death and a major cause of disability. Therefore, we aim to estimate the prevalence of long-term of disabilities among survivors of THI treated at a large level-I trauma center in Riyadh.MethodsThe study included 258 patients, who were hospitalized due to a non-fatal THI between years 2005–2014. Patients (age = 16–60 years) were contacted via the phone and information about their Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) was ascertained. Univariate analyses were performed to examine patients’ characteristics and to estimate the prevalence of any disability. Logistic regression was used to evaluate independent predictors of long-term disability.ResultsRespondents were relatively young (mean age = 24.8; SD = 9.8), predominantly males (92.7%) and the majority sustained THI following traffic crashes (91.4%). The average time since the injury was 6.8 years (range = 3–12, SD = 2.6). Close to third of the sample (32.5%) reported at least some limitations in ADL or IADL. Regression analysis suggests that a one-unit increase in Revised Trauma Scale (RTS) was associated with 31% lower odds of disability adjusting for other covariates. While responders with a below high school education were 4.7 times more likely to report a disability than those with at least a college degree (P < 0.05).ConclusionsTHI was associated with significant limitations in various aspects of everyday life. The magnitude and impact of THI in Saudi Arabia requires public health measures to prevent these injuries and to improve their health outcomes. Advocates may use these findings to educate the public about secondary and tertiary prevention and elicit support from policymakers to facilitate interventions toward reducing THI’s associated disabilities.

Permanent Disability between Current Medicolegal System and Reality (A Retrospective Study in Menoufya Medicolegal Authority, Egypt)

“…These findings are in accordance with some extent with Alghnam, et al (2017) and Whiteneck, et al (2016) reported that head and brain injuries are very dangerous injuries. About 1/3 of the patients with head injuries who were treated of traumatic head injury suffer severe permanent disabilities due to the neurological insults.…”

The Association between Mobile Phone Use and Severe Traffic Injuries: A Case-Control Study from Saudi Arabia

“…The likelihood that RTIs in a younger population will result in disabilities leading to a lifelong impact on population health is high. A previous study in SA with young trauma patients, mostly due to RTIs, found that one-third suffered permanent disabilities [38]. The impact of RTIs on a younger population is an essential consideration for public health officials as well as the traffic police to design prevention programs suitable for this group.…”

Protocol for a feasibility exploratory multicentre study of factors influencing trauma patients’ outcomes of traffic crashes in Saudi Arabia

“…In SA, the long-term outcomes and the predictive factors influencing mortality following RTCs are unknown. Only one recent study has investigated that long-term disabilities follow injuries; however, the study focused only on traumatic head injury patients in SA 30. Two other studies have examined factors predicting in-hospital death among patients injured in traffic crashes, but these studies were based on the only level I trauma centre (National Guard Hospital) in SA 11 12.…”