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Vegetative state after closed-head injury. A Traumatic Coma Data Bank Report
H S Levin1, C Saydjari, H M Eisenberg
1Division of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
Archives of Neurology
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Many patients discharged in a vegetative state after severe closed-head injury regain consciousness. Over half of these patients recovered by one year, with no clear predictors identified for this outcome.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Traumatology
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Severe closed-head injury frequently results in a vegetative state.
- Understanding the prognosis for patients in a vegetative state is crucial for clinical management and patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical course and recovery rates of patients in a vegetative state following severe closed-head injury.
- To identify potential predictors of recovery from a vegetative state.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Traumatic Coma Data Bank.
- Inclusion of 650 patients with severe closed-head injury.
- Follow-up assessments up to 3 years post-injury for patients in a vegetative state.
Main Results:
- 14% of patients were discharged in a vegetative state.
- Patients in a vegetative state had more severe injuries (Glasgow Coma Scale, pupillary findings).
- 41% regained consciousness by 6 months, 52% by 1 year, and 58% by 3 years.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of patients in a vegetative state after severe closed-head injury can recover consciousness.
- Recovery can occur up to 3 years post-injury.
- Logistic regression analysis did not identify specific predictors for recovery from the vegetative state.