Four Year Outcome After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the Parisian Area

This work represents a part of a larger collaborative prospective study called PariS-TBI (Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the Parisian area) financed by the French National Authority for Health. The PariS-TBI study was undertaken in 2005, to provide epidemiological data. Patients aged 15 or more were included if they had sustained a severe TBI in the Parisian area, defined by an initial Coma Glasgow Score (GCS) of 8 or less. During a 20-months period, all consecutive patients who met inclusion criteria were recruited by mobile emergency services. Data from patients' demographics, injury characteristics, acute and post acute phase were collected prospectively. Patients were evaluated through a phone interview at one year post traumatism.

A total of 504 patients were included, of which 257 were alive at the end of acute care.

Investigations of the present work will be undertaken between four and six years after brain injury for survivors. Patients of the initial cohort will be contacted twice through phone call or post. Information about this follow up study will be given orally and through written form. Informed consent of patient or legal advisor will be obtained before setting an appointment for the evaluation.

Evaluation will take place either in the patient's place of living, or in a clinical setting in the hospitals Broussais, Paris, France or Raymond POINCARE, GARCHES, France, according to the patient's choice.

Two trained neuropsychologists will lead the evaluations, during an interview with the patient and the informal care giver, defined as the person (family member or friend), most responsible for day-to-day decision making and care for the patient. If a patient refuses the interview, a short questionnaire will be proposed to him by the neuropsychologist by phone.