• Therese M OʼNeil-Pirozzi, Jessica M Ketchum, Flora M Hammond, Angela Philippus, Erica Weber, and Kristen Dams-OʼConnor.
• Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Hospital and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston (Dr O'Neil-Pirozzi); Research Department, Craig Hospital and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center, Englewood, Colorado (Dr Ketchum); Indiana University School of Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis (Dr Hammond); Research Department, Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado (Ms Philippus); Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, New Jersey (Dr Weber); and Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (Dr Dams-O'Connor).
• J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2018 Jul 1; 33 (4): 237-245.

ObjectiveTo compare a group of individuals who died more than 1 year posttraumatic brain injury (TBI) with a matched group of survivors and to identify physical function, cognitive function, and/or psychosocial function variables associated with mortality.DesignSecondary analysis of data from a multicenter longitudinal cohort study.SettingAcute inpatient rehabilitation facilities and community follow-up.ParticipantsIndividuals 16 years and older with a primary diagnosis of TBI.Main Outcome MeasuresFunctional Independence Measure (FIM), Disability Rating Scale, Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools Objective, Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale.ResultsIndividuals who died were distinguishable from their surviving counterparts. They demonstrated significantly poorer global functioning on all physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning variables at their most recent study follow-up visit prior to death. FIM Motor demonstrated the largest difference between survival groups, suggesting that independence in mobility may be particularly indicative of likelihood of longer-term survival.ConclusionsThese findings may inform continued research to elucidate functional characteristics of individuals postchronic TBI prior to their death and to identify opportunities for prevention of accelerated death and interventions to improve health, longevity, and quality of life.

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