J Head Trauma Rehabil

ObjectiveTo describe the rates and causes for rehospitalization over 10 years following moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to characterize longitudinal trajectories of the probability of rehospitalization using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) and Individual Growth Curve (IGC) models conditioned on factors that help explain individual variability in rehospitalization risk over time.DesignSecondary analysis of data from a multicenter longitudinal cohort study.SettingAcute inpatient rehabilitation facilities and community follow-up.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 16 years and older with a primary diagnosis of TBI.Main Outcome MeasuresRehospitalization (and reason for rehospitalization) as reported by participants or proxy during follow-up telephone interviews at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years post-injury.ResultsThe greatest number of rehospitalizations occurred in the first year post-injury (27.8% of the sample), and the rates of rehospitalization remained largely stable (22.1\ue2\u20ac\u201c23.4%) at 2, 5 and 10 years. Reasons for rehospitalization varied over time: Orthopedic and reconstructive surgery rehospitalizations were most common in Year 1, while General Health Maintenance was most common by Year 2 with rates increasing at each follow-up. Longitudinal models indicate multiple demographic and injury-related factors are associated with the probability of rehospitalization over time.ConclusionThese findings can inform the content and timing of interventions to improve health and longevity after TBI.K01 HD074651/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United StatesR43 DP000010/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48 DP000031/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU48 DP000036/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States2018-05-01T00:00:00Z28476056PMC542139