Quality of Life Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Iraqi Patients

TL;DR

This study examines the quality of life of Iraqi patients six to twelve months after traumatic brain injury, revealing mixed levels of satisfaction and dissatisfaction across different aspects of life.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the quality of life of traumatic brain injury patients in Iraq, focusing on specific domains like thinking, emotions, and social relationships.

Findings

Most patients showed average satisfaction with thinking abilities, emotions, independence, and social relationships.

A majority expressed average dissatisfaction with feelings and low dissatisfaction with physical activity.

Road traffic accidents were the primary cause of brain injury in the study population.

Abstract

Knowledge about quality of life following brain trauma is necessary to improve public health programmes.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ghazi al-Hariri Surgical Specialties Hospital, Dr. Saad Al-Witry Neuroscience Hospital in the Baghdad governorate, and Baqubah General Hospital in the Diyala governorate from first January to the end of April 2022. The study's target population was patients aged 18 years and older with traumatic brain injury six to 12 months post-injury, Quality of life was evaluated by a structured questionnaire using the quality of life after brain injury (QOLIBRI) scale

A total of 225 participants were included. The highest proportion (52.9%) was within the age group of 18-29 years. The male-to-female ratio was 3.09:1. Road traffic accidents were the main cause of brain damage, affecting 67.6% and 52.7%, respectively. The average levels of satisfaction with thinking ability, emotions, independence, and social relationships were 56.9%, 52.9%, 42.2% and 43.6%, respectively. The average levels of dissatisfaction with feelings and physical activity were 48.4% and 53.8%, respectively.

Most patients with traumatic brain injury had average overall satisfaction with their thinking abilities, emotions, independence, and social relationships. Majority of them had an average level of discontent with their feelings and a low level of discontent with their physical activity.

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