Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of life of patients with severe traumatic brain injury and their relatives by a visual analogue scale (0–10) and a distress companion score (1–6) and to establish correlations between Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Glasgow out scale (GOS), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and QOL.

Material/patients and methods

Retrospective study conducted in the department of physical and rehabilitation medicine of Kassab Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics concerning patients followed for severe traumatic brain injury sequalea.

Results

Thirty patients were included in the study. The mean initial GCS score was of 5.74/15. The GOS was of 5 in eleven patients, 4 in eight, and 3 in eleven. The mean FIM was 104/126 (74–126) but dependence in advanced activities was more severe than in elementary activities. The subjective QOL of patients was discretely lower ( m = 4.7/10) than that estimated by close relatives ( m = 5). The relatives QOL was similarly reduced ( m = 4.47). The mean distress accompanying score was 3.7/6. The factors most influencing the patients and relatives QOL were the dependence in the advanced activities and the GOS.

Discussion–conclusion

The reduction of patient and “relatives” QOL was mainly influenced by functional dependence however, new influencing factors have to be more studied, such as impairment, disability and handicap.