Baseline Predictors of Survival, Neurological Recovery, Cognitive Function, Neuropsychiatric Outcomes, and Return to Work in Patients after a Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: an Updated Review

INTRODUCTION: Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is a common cause of death and disability worldwide, with long-term squeal among survivors that include cognitive deficits, psychosocial and neuropsychiatric dysfunction, failure to return to pre-injury levels of work, school and inter-personal relationships, and overall reduced quality of and satisfaction with life. AIM: The aim of this work is to review the current literature on baseline predictors of outcomes in adults post sTBI. METHOD: Most of available literature on baseline predictors of outcomes in adults post sTBI were reviewed and summarized in this work. RESULTS: Currently, a sizeable number of composite predictors of mortality and overall function exists; however, these instruments tend to over-estimate poor outcomes and fail to address issues like cognition, psychosocial/ neuropsychiatric dysfunction, and return to work or school. CONCLUSION: This article reviews currently-identified predictors of all these outcomes.