The Norwegian version of the QOLIBRI - a study of metric properties based on a 12 month follow-up of persons with traumatic brain injury

Dizziness-Related Disability One Year after a Mild-to-Moderate TBI-A Follow-Up Study

Persisting dizziness and balance problems after mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (mmTBI) may result in considerable disability. The primary aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with dizziness-related disability one year post-injury. Data from 64 participants (mean age 39.4 [SD 13.0] years; 45 [70.3%] women) with mmTBI from a previous randomised controlled trial were analysed using simple and multiple regression analyses (Clinical Trials Registry #NCT01695577). The Dizziness Handicap Inventory one year (12.1, [SD1.6] months) post-injury was the dependent variable. Demographic and injury-related variables, clinical findings, and measures of post-injury symptoms and functioning (Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, RPQ; Vertigo Symptom Scale-short form, VSS-SF; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Balance Error Scoring System; and High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool, HiMAT) at baseline (3.5 [SD 2.1] months post-injury) were the independent variables. Dizziness-related disability at one year was associated with pre-injury comorbidity, neck pain, higher RPQ, higher VSS-SF, and lower HiMAT scores (adjusted R2 = 0.370, F = 6.52 p < 0.001). In conclusion, the factors associated with dizziness-related disability one year post-injury, such as pre-injury comorbidity, neck pain, increased post-concussion symptom burden, increased dizziness symptom severity, and reduced balance and mobility, should be addressed early in the rehabilitation process to reduce patient burden.

Longitudinal Internal Validity of the Quality of Life after Brain Injury: Response Shift and Responsiveness

The Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QoLIBRI) questionnaire was developed and validated to assess disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals after TBI. The present study aims to determine its longitudinal validity by assessing its responsiveness and response shift from 3 to 6 months post-injury. Analyses were based on data from the European longitudinal observational cohort Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury study. A total of 1659 individuals recovering from TBI were included in the analyses. Response shift was assessed using longitudinal measurement invariance testing within the confirmatory factor analyses framework. Responsiveness was analyzed using linear regression models that compared changes in functional recovery as measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) with changes in the QoLIBRI scales from 3 to 6 months post-injury. Longitudinal tests of measurement invariance and analyses of discrepancies in practical significance indicated the absence of response shift. Changes in functional recovery status from three to six months were significantly associated with the responsiveness of the QoLIBRI scales over the same time period. The QoLIBRI can be used in longitudinal studies and is responsive to changes in an individual's functional recovery during the first 6 months after TBI.

Neurological Health: Not Merely the Absence of Disease: Current Wellbeing Instruments Across the Spectrum of Neurology

OBJECTIVE

Well-being and quality of life can vary independently of disease. Instruments measuring well-being and quality of life are commonly used in neurology, but there has been little investigation into the extent in which they accurately measure wellbeing/quality of life or if they merely reflect a diseased state of an individual.

DESIGN

Systematic searches, thematic analysis and narrative synthesis were undertaken. Individual items from instruments represented in ≥ 5 publications were categorised independently, without prior training, by five neurologists and one well-being researcher, as relating to 'disease-effect' or 'Well-being' with a study-created instrument. Items were additionally categorised into well-being domains.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE and PsycINFO from 1990 to 2020 were performed, across the 13 most prevalent neurological diseases.

RESULTS

301 unique instruments were identified. Multiple sclerosis had most unique instruments at 92. SF-36 was used most, in 66 studies. 22 instruments appeared in ≥ 5 publications: 19/22 'well-being' outcome instruments predominantly measured disease effect (Fleiss kappa = .60). Only 1/22 instruments was categorised unanimously as relating to well-being. Instruments predominantly measured mental, physical and activity domains, over social or spiritual.

CONCLUSIONS

Most neurological well-being or quality-of-life instruments predominantly measure disease effect, rather than disease-independent well-being. Instruments differed widely in well-being domains examined.

Reference Values of the Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) from a General Population Sample in Italy

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may affect the lives of the individuals concerned and their relatives negatively in many dimensions. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a comprehensive and complex concept that can assess one's satisfaction with a broad range of areas of life and health. The Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) questionnaire is a TBI-specific measure for HRQoL which is used in research and health services worldwide. When evaluating self-reported HRQoL after TBI, reference values from a general population are helpful to perform clinically relevant evaluations and decisions about the condition of an affected person by comparing the patient scores with reference values. Despite the widespread use of the QOLIBRI, reference values have until now only been available for the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to validate the QOLIBRI for the general population in Italy and to provide reference values. An adapted form of the QOLIBRI was administered to 3298 Italians from a healthy general population using an online survey. Their scores were compared with those of 298 individuals post-TBI recruited within the international longitudinal observational cohort CENTER-TBI study in Italian hospitals, who completed the original questionnaire. The psychometric characteristics and the measurement invariance of the QOLIBRI were assessed. A regression analysis was performed to identify predictors relevant for HRQoL in the general population. Reference values were provided using percentiles. Measurement invariance analysis showed that the QOLIBRI captures the same HRQoL constructs in an Italian general population and Italian TBI sample from the observational Center-TBI study. Higher age, higher education and the absence of a chronic health condition were associated with higher QOLIBRI scores, suggesting better HRQoL. Reference values were provided for a general Italian population adjusted for age, sex, education and presence of chronic health conditions. We recommend using these for a better interpretation of the QOLIBRI score in clinical practice and research in Italy.

Reference Values and Psychometric Properties of the Quality of Life After Traumatic Brain Injury-Overall Scale in Italy, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVES

The Quality of Life after Brain Injury-Overall Scale (QOLIBRI-OS) is a short screening instrument for assessing disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after traumatic brain injury. To date, no reference values are available for the QOLIBRI-OS in general populations. Thus, this study aimed to establish reference values for the QOLIBRI-OS in general population samples from Italy, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

METHODS

Data were collected using an online survey. The total sample comprised 11759 participants, consisting of 3549 Italian, 3564 Dutch, and 4646 British subjects. In this sample, 49% of the total sample did not report any health complaints, whereas 51% had at least 1 chronic health condition. Reference values were deduced for the QOLIBRI-OS for health-condition-related samples and total general population samples per country. To ensure the comparability of these values, measurement invariance was assessed using a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. Covariates characterizing the reference values were selected with the help of regression analyses.

RESULTS

The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the QOLIBRI-OS scores measured the same traumatic brain injury-specific HRQoL construct across the 3 countries. Healthy individuals reported significantly higher HRQoL than individuals with at least 1 chronic health condition. Older age and higher education levels were significantly associated with higher HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Because the reference values displayed differences in terms of age and education level across the 3 countries, we recommend using country-specific reference values stratified by sociodemographic and health status in research and clinical practice.

Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Bermond–Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire: An Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Study

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) has been widely used to assess alexithymia. The Bermond–Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire (BVAQ) assesses two additional features of alexithymia—the affective factors of emotionalizing and fantasizing, which are not included in the TAS-20. However, there is currently no Chinese version of the BVAQ. Here, the authors collected data from 439 college students (293 females, aged 17–27, mean ± SD = 20.25 ± 1.88) to evaluate the psychometric properties for a Chinese BVAQ translation. Exploratory structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis provided satisfactory validity and acceptable reliability for a six-factor first-order solution of a 35-item Chinese BVAQ. This adaptation retained the five original BVAQ factors (identifying, analyzing, verbalizing, emotionalizing, and fantasizing) and further specified the factor of identifying (successful identifying and unsuccessful identifying feelings). The authors also found a two-factor second-order model of cognitive and affective components for alexithymia in the Chinese population. Higher correlations with the TAS-20 were observed for identifying, analyzing, and verbalizing feelings (0.34 ∼ 0.61) relative to fantasizing and emotionalizing (0.02 ∼ −0.05). These results support the construct validity of the adaptation. This work provides a reliable and valid Chinese adaptation of the BVAQ.

Mental Health and Family Functioning in Patients and Their Family Members after Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects the family as a whole. This study aimed to describe and compare mental health and family functioning in TBI patients and their family members, and to identify individual and family-related factors that were associated with mental health. It was conducted at an urban, specialized, TBI outpatient clinic and included 61 patients with mild to severe TBI and 63 family members. Baseline demographics and injury-related data were collected, and the participants answered standardized, self-reported questionnaires 6-18 months post-injury that assessed mental health; general health; family functioning, communication, and satisfaction; depression and anxiety; self-efficacy; resilience; and condition-specific quality of life. The patients reported significantly worse mental health, depression, resilience, self-efficacy, and general health compared with the family members. Patients and family members had similar perceptions, showing balanced family functioning, high family communication levels, and moderate family satisfaction. Factors significantly associated with mental health in patients and family members were depression, anxiety, and resilience, explaining 56% of the variance (p < 0.001). Family-related factors were not associated with mental health. The disease burden was mainly on the patients; however, the family members also reported emotional distress. Family-targeted interventions across the TBI continuum should be considered.

Prediction of long-term quality of life after severe traumatic brain injury based on variables at hospital admission

Objectives: Variables collected early after severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) could predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of patients with a low HRQoL 4 years after sTBI and to develop a prediction model including early variables.Methods: Adult patients with both sTBI [abbreviated injury score of the head region (HAIS) >3] and disease-specific HRQoL assessments using the 'Quality of Life after Brain Injury' (QOLIBRI) were included. The outcome was the total score (TS) of QOLIBRI; cutoff for low HRQoL: <60 points. A multivariate logistic regression model and prediction model were performed.Results: One hundred-sixteen patients [median age 50.8 years (IQR 25.9-62.8; 21.6% >65 years)] were included; 68 (58.6%) with HAIS = 4, 48 (41.4%) with HAIS = 5. Median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 13 (IQR 3-15). Median TS was 77 (IQR 60-88). Low HRQoL was observed in 28 patients (24.1%). Two variables were associated with low HRQoL: GCS <13, working situation other than employed or retired. The prediction model had an AUROC of 0.765; calibration was moderate (Hosmer Lemeshow Chi2 6.82, p = .556).Conclusion: One in four patients had a low HRQoL after 4 years. A lower GCS and working situations were associated with low HRQoL.

Health-related quality of life after 6 months post-injury on severe traumatic brain injury: A cohort study in two Malaysian hospitals

OBJECTIVE

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors show physical and functional improvement but remain with the cognitive and psycho-social problem through our recovery. This study aims to measure the health-related quality of life of TBI survivors within 6 months post-injury.

METHOD

A cohort study was conducted where 33 severe TBI survivors recruited at two tertiary hospitals. The health-related quality of life was measured using the Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) tool.

RESULTS

Participants mean age was 31.79 years old. The impaired range of health-related quality of life on 6 months post-injury seen, but an improvement occurs within 3-6 months post-injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Age and ventilation duration showed a moderate negative correlation in all domains and length of hospital stay showed a moderate negative correlation to social, daily life and self-domains. Nevertheless, small sample size and time constraint were the limitations of this study.

Functional Outcomes and Health-Related Quality of Life After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review

Throughout recovery, patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) show physical and functional improvement, but continue to have cognitive and psychosocial problems. The aim of this article was to review the literature regarding the functional and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in severe TBI. There were 15 articles reviewed, 13 of them were quantitative studies and two were narrative review. Most of the articles showed an improvement occurs rapidly at 6 months post-injury. There were several factors that influence the outcome after TBI, most of it was the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission, age, educational level, duration of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA), and length of stay (LOS) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Thus, health care workers should help the survivors of severe TBI in the recovery process to ensure the latter can attain maximum function and quality of life.

Can the health related quality of life measure QOLIBRI- overall scale (OS) be of use after stroke? A validation study

BACKGROUND

Brief measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) that assess both patient-reported functioning and well-being after stroke are scarce. The objective of this study was to examine reliability and validity of one of these measures, the patient-reported Quality of Life after Brain Injury-Overall Scale (QOLIBRI-OS), in patients after stroke.

METHODS

Stroke survivors were examined prospectively using survey methods. Core survey data (n = 125) and retest data (n = 36) were obtained at 3 and 12 months, respectively. Item properties (distribution, floor and ceiling effects), psychometric properties (reliability and model fit), and validity (correlations with established measures of anxiety, depression and HRQOL) of the QOLIBRI-OS were examined.

RESULTS

Missing responses on the questionnaire were low (0.5%). All items were positively skewed. No floor effects were present, whereas five out of six items showed ceiling effects. The summary QOLIBRI-OS score exhibited no floor or ceiling effects, and had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α =0.93). All item-total correlations were high (0.73-0.88). The test-retest reliability of single items varied from 0.74 to 0.91 and was 0.93 for the overall score. The confirmatory factor analysis yielded an excellent fit for a five-item version and provided tentative support for the original six-item version. The convergent validity correlations were in the hypothesized directions, thus supporting the construct validity.

CONCLUSIONS

The brief QOLIBRI-OS is a valid and reliable brief health-related outcome measure that is appropriate for screening HRQOL in patients after stroke.

Prospective evaluation of the Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) score: minor differences in patients with major versus no or mild traumatic brain injury at one-year follow up

Background

The Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) score was developed to assess disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). So far, validation studies on the QOLIBRI were only conducted in cohorts with traumatic brain injury. This study investigated the longer-term residuals in severely injured patients, focusing specifically on the possible impact of major TBI.

Methods

In a prospective questionnaire investigation, 199 survivors with an injury severity score (ISS) > 15 participated in one-year follow-up. Patients who had sustained major TBI (abbreviated injury scale, AIS head > 2) were compared with patients who had no or only mild TBI (AIS head ≤ 2). Univariate analysis (ANOVA, Cohen’s kappa, Pearson’s r) and stepwise linear regression analysis (B with 95% CI, R, R²) were used.

Results

The total QOLIBRI revealed no differences in one-year outcomes between patients with versus without major TBI (75 and 76, resp.; p = 0.68). With regard to the cognitive subscore, the group with major TBI demonstrated significantly more limitations than the one with no or mild TBI (p < 0.05). The AIS head correlated significantly with the cognitive dimension of the QOLIBRI (r = − 0.16; p < 0.05), but not with the mental components of the SF-36 or the TOP. In multivariate analysis, the influence of the severity of head injury (AIS head) on total QOLIBRI was weaker than that of injured extremities (R² = 0.02; p < 0.05 vs. R² = 0.04; p = 0.001) and equal to the QOLIBRI cognitive subscore (R² = 0.03, p < 0.01 each).

Conclusions

Given the unexpected result of similar mean QOLIBRI total score values and only minor differences in cognitive deficits following major trauma independently of whether patients sustained major brain injury or not, further studies should investigate whether the QOLIBRI actually has the discriminative capacity to detect specific residuals of major TBI. In effect, the score appears to indicate mental deficits following different types of severe trauma, which should be evaluated in more detail.

Trial registration

NCT02165137; retrospectively registered 11 June 2014.

Longer-term quality of life following major trauma: age only significantly affects outcome after the age of 80 years

Aim

Against the background of conflicting data on the topic, this study aimed to determine the differences in longer-term patient outcomes following major trauma with regard to age.

Materials and methods

A prospective trauma center survey of survivors of trauma (≥16 years) was carried out employing a New Injury Severity Score (NISS) ≥8 to investigate the influence of age on working capacity and several outcome scores, such as the trauma medical outcomes study Short Form-36 (physical component [PCS] and mental component [MCS]), the Euro Quality of Life (EuroQoL), or the Trauma Outcome Profile (TOP) at least 1 year following injury. Chi square tests, t-tests, and Pearson correlations were used as univariate; stepwise regression as multivariate analysis. Significance was set at p<0.05.

Results

In all, 718 major trauma patients (53.4±19.4 years; NISS 18.4±9.2) participated in the study. Multivariate analysis showed only low associations of patient or trauma characteristics with longer-term outcome scores, highest for the Injury Severity Score of the extremities with the PCS (R²=0.08) or the working capacity of employed patients (n=383; R²=0.04). For age, overall associations were even lower (best with the PCS, R²=0.04) or could not be revealed at all (TOP or MCS). Subgroup analysis with regard to decennia revealed the age effect to be mainly attributable to patients aged ≥80, who presented with a significantly worse outcome compared to younger people in all overall and physical component scores (p<0.001). In patients under 80 years an association of age was only found for EuroQoL (R²=0.01) and the PCS (R²=0.03).

Conclusion

Given the small impact of age on the longer-term outcomes of major trauma patients, at least up to the age of 80 years, resuscitation as well as rehabilitation strategies should be adapted accordingly.