Correlation of Glasgow outcome score to Glasgow coma score assessed at admission

Abstract

Background:  Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes for morbidity and mortality in trauma cases. GCS is the standard scoring system used globally to assess the neurological status of patients with traumatic brain injury. The GOS is used to objectively assess and categorize patients recovering from head injury. In this study we assessed the GOS of patients recovering from traumatic brain injury and analysed its correlation with the initial GCS thereby evaluating the use of GCS in predicting recovery of patients with head injury. Methods: 82 patients with isolated traumatic brain injury were included in the study. GCS was recorded at admission, 6 hours and 12 hours. GOS was recorded at 7 days and 28 days. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson’s Correlation co-efficient. Results:  There was statistically significant positive correlation between GCS recorded on admission with GOS recorded on day 7 and GOS recorded on day 28. Positive Correlation was also seen between GCS recorded at 6 hours with GOS recorded on day 7 and GOS recorded on day 28. Similar positive correlation was also seen between GCS recorded at 12 hours with GOS recorded on day 7 and GOS recorded on day 28. Conclusions:  GCS can be used as a tool to stratify risk, prognosis and neurological recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury. It has to be used with caution in patients with polytrauma as other serious injuries may increase the risk, morbidity and mortality.