Traumatic brain injury shows better functional recovery than brain tumor: a rehabilitative perspective.

BACKGROUND

The similar symptoms seen in the brain tumor (BT) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) population. However, functional comparisons between these two diagnostic groups have been limited.

AIM: To compare functional outcomes in patients with supratentorial BT and TBI after early rehabilitation.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective database analysis. Setting. Patients admitted to an Acute Care Unit as inpatient (Hacettepe Hospital, Ankara-Turkey). Population. The population included patients with BT and TBI.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients with BT and TBI were matched one-to-one by lesion side and sex. The Barthel Index was used to assess functional status at the pre- and postrehabilitation. The change rate and efficiency in BI were also calculated. The time between injury onset and admission to rehabilitation (the onset to admission interval, OAI) and length of stay in rehabilitation (LOS rehab) were recorded. In addition, the influence of lesion side (left and right) and age on functional outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

The functional level was significantly lower in TBI patients than in patients BT before rehabilitation (P<0.05). The post-rehabilitation BI score was similar in patients with BT and TBI (P>0.05). Patients with TBI had greater the change rate and efficiency in BI (P<0.05). The OAI and LOS rehab was longer in patients with TBI (P<0.05). In terms of lesion side comparisons, no differences were found (P>0.05). The age had no effect on functional outcome in patients with TBI and BT (P>0.05), expect the age group 45-59 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The early rehabilitation program improved functional ability of patients with brain tumors, as well as patients with traumatic brain injury. Despite the lower functional status, patients with TBI displayed better functional recovery than patients with BT. Lesion side had no effect on functional outcome in patients with TBI and BT. Differences in functional status begin to appear even in patients with TBI between 45 and 59 years. Further investigations with more detailed outcome instruments are required to better understand the qualitative limitations of a patient's recovery.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Patients with TBI will make functional gains comparable with patients with brain tumors in a similar rehabilitation setting.