Predictors of 10-year functional independence trajectories in older adults with traumatic brain injury: A Model Systems study.

Background: Older adults have the highest traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related morbidity and mortality, and rates in older adults are increasing, chiefly due to falls.

Objective: This study used hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to examine baseline predictors of functional independence trajectories across 1, 2, 5, and 10 years after TBI in older adults.

Methods: Participants comprised 2,459 individuals aged 60 or older at the time of TBI, enrolled in the longitudinal TBI Model Systems database, and had Functional Independence Measure Motor and Cognitive subscale scores and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended scores during at least 1 time point.

Results: Functional independence trajectories generally declined over the 10 years after TBI. Individuals who were older, male, underrepresented minorities, had lower education, were unemployed at time of injury, had no history of substance use disorder, or had difficulties with learning, dressing, and going out of the home prior to the TBI, or longer time in posttraumatic amnesia had lower functional independence trajectories across at least one of the functional independence outcomes.

Conclusion: These predictors of functional independence in older adults with TBI may heighten awareness of these factors in treatment planning and long-term health monitoring and ultimately as a way to decrease morbidity and mortality.