Treatment and outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury. A study of the Employers Liability Insurance Association hospitals

Background. The article describes the objectives and methods of a study initiated by the working group (AG) on neurotrauma of the Employers Liability Insurance Association (BG) hospitals and supported by a grant from the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) entitled "A prospective study on epidemiology and outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in BG hospitals (ProSHT)", reg.-nr. DRKS00010525. Objectives. The aim of the main part of this study (TBI registry) is the documentation of treatment and outcome of patients after TBI treated in one of the participating BG hospitals. In an additional subproject (mild TBI), risk factors for a negative course after mild TBI are assessed by additional examinations. Material and methods. In the main part of the study, treatment was documented by standard assessment forms (including inital treatment, acute inpatient treatment and rehabilitation) and outcome was assessed by standardized telephone interviews 3 and 12 months after trauma. In the subproject, additional neurological, neuropsychological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed in the first 4 weeks after trauma and after 3 and 12 months. Results.The study is still ongoing, and definitive results are not yet available. Conclusion. It is expected that the results will substantially contribute to improvement of treatment of TBI patients.