Predictive Factors for Health-Related Quality of Life among Thai Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Abstract

Factors related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been studied widely but there is limited research about traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors living in low and middle income countries where social context and care environment are different. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the factors predicting HRQoL among Thai TBI survivors. Sample included 200 people who had TBI and were selected through purposive sampling at least 1 month after discharge based on their medical records from two tertiary care hospitals in southern Thailand. They were interviewed using the Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) instrument. The selected factors examined as independent variables included Glasgow coma scale (GCS), functional and disability, anxiety/ depression, social support and community integration, and some demographic factors. Results revealed that the significant positive relationships existed between HRQoL and GCS, community integration and social support; while a negative relationship with anxiety and depression was reported. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that all of five factors could significantly predict HRQoL at 58.3%.  In conclusion, five important factors (GCS, social support, anxiety, depression, and community integration) predicted HRQoL which required comprehensive interventions. For improving patient’s HRQoL after discharge, it is suggested to provide more support, strengthen their involvement in the community, and reduce the patient’s anxiety and depression in particular to those without social support at home.