Short Term Outcomes in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury At Nsambya Hospital Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Head injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an acute brain injury resulting from mechanical energy to the head from an external physical force. It is a leading cause of death and disability in children and adults in their most productive years. Types and causes vary from population to population. Populations in urban locations are affected more than rural ones. Management and outcome of TBI vary based on mechanism and severity of injury, location of the lesion, and access to immediate, specialized management. Patient characteristics, timing and accuracy of diagnosis also affect prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the short term treatment outcome of head injury patients in Nsambya Hospital.

Methods: We analyzed prospectively collected data from the surgical wards at Nsambya Hospital for patients aged 18 years and above presenting with head injury between November 2014 and February 2015. A total of 108 patients were recruited in this study. They were assessed for age sex, mechanism and severity of injury, associated injuries and investigations. Outcomes of head injury were measured using the Disability Rating Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Score at discharge or up to 28 days follow- up period.

Results: Patients with head injury (n=108) had more males (88.9%) than females (ratio 6:1). The 19-30 age group was mostly affected (51.9%). The major factors that influenced outcome negatively were duration of stay and GCS at admission (p=<0.05). Age, gender, mechanism of injury and associated injuries had no influence on the outcomes of head injury in the short term.

Conclusion: The outcomes of traumatic brain injury are affected by GCS at admission but not age, gender and mechanism of injury. DRS and GOS can be used in assessment of outcomes for head injury.

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