Quality of Life Among Patients Undergoing Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury Using Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended and Quality of Life After Brain Injury Scale

OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of life of patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy (DC) for traumatic brain injury and satisfaction of caregivers with outcomes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care urban center in Pakistan. All patients with severe traumatic brain injury who underwent DC and survived >6 months were included. Outcomes were assessed using 2 scales: Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended and Quality of Life After Traumatic Brain Injury (QOLIBRI). The proforma was translated and validated into the national language. Patient caregivers were interviewed to ask if they would opt for DC in a similar situation in future. RESULTS: The study comprised 40 patients, including 35 male (88%) and 5 female (12%) patients. Mean age of patients was 26.5 +/- 9.5 years. Mean Glasgow Coma Scale score at presentation was 8.34 +/- 3.22. Median follow-up was 12 months (range, 6-18 months). Mean Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended score was 5.35 +/- 1.9, which correlates with an unfavorable outcome. Mean QOLIBRI score was 59.65 +/- 21.27. Family members of 38 (95%) patients were content with their decision to give consent for DC in their patients. Spearman correlation for different domains of QOLIBRI and Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended was statistically significant for all parameters except social relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Mean QOLIBRI score of patients undergoing DC was 59.65 +/- 21.27. Most caregivers (95%) were satisfied with their decision to consent for DC. Patient-reported health-related quality of life assessment is necessary to assess impact of traumatic brain injury.