Dr. Langlois concluded with a study of mortality within 1 year of TBI based on the South Carolina population data from 3,679 persons hospitalized with TBI (J. Head Trauma Rehab. 2005;20:257–69). Overall, the risk for all-cause mortality was seven times higher, compared with the U.S. death rate, and 80% of these deaths were reported as being related to the TBI, Dr. Langlois said.
Patients with severe TBI were significantly more likely to die within 15 months, compared with mild or moderate cases. Other factors associated with mortality from TBI included older age (75 years or older) and more comorbid conditions (three or more). The most common comorbidities were heart disease (48%), hypertension (29%), and fluid/electrolyte imbalance (21%).