Multicentre registry of brain-injured patients with disorder of consciousness: rationale and preliminary data.

Multicentre registry of brain-injured patients with disorder of consciousness: rationale and preliminary data. Funct Neurol. 2018 Jan/Mar;33(1):19-30 Authors: Pascarella A, Fiorenza S, Masotta O, Tibollo V, Vella D, Nardone AM, Rossi M, Volanti P, Madonia F, Cstronovo G, De Cicco D, Guarnaschelli C, Achilli MP, Chiapparino C, Angelillo MT, Tommasi MA, Pisano F, Grioni G, Vezzadini G, Ferriero G, Salvaderi S, Bellazzi R, Estraneo A Abstract Diagnostic accuracy and reliable estimation of clinical evolution are challenging issues in the management of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). Longitudinal systematic investigations conducted in large cohorts of patients with DoC could make it possible to identify reliable diagnostic and prognostic markers. On the basis of this consideration, we devised a multicentre prospective registry for patients with DoC admitted to ten intensive rehabilitation units. The registry collects homogeneous and detailed data on patients' demographic and clinical features, neurophysiological and neuroimaging findings, and medical and surgical complications. Here we present the rationale and the design of the registry and the preliminary results obtained in 53 patients with DoC (vegetative state or minimally conscious state) enrolled during the first seven months of the study. Data at 6-month post-injury follow-up were available for 46 of them. This registry could be an important tool for collecting hig...
Source: Functional Neurology - Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research