Decreased plasma gelsolin is associated with 1-year outcome in patients with traumatic brain injury

PurposeDecreased plasma gelsolin level has been associated with 1-month mortality after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thus, we investigated the ability of gelsolin to predict 1-year mortality and functional outcome in these patients.MethodsOne hundred fourteen healthy controls and 114 patients with acute severe TBI were included in this study. Plasma gelsolin concentration on admission was measured by ELISA.ResultsFifty-five patients (48.2%) had unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1-3) and 38 patients (33.3%) died in 1 year after TBI. Upon admission, plasma gelsolin level in patients was substantially lower than that in healthy controls. A multivariate analysis selected plasma gelsolin level as an independent predictor for 1-year unfavorable outcome and mortality of patients. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed plasma gelsolin level predicted 1-year unfavorable outcome and mortality statistically significantly. The predictive value of the gelsolin concentration was thus similar to that of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. In a combined logistic-regression model, gelsolin did not statistically significantly improve the area under curve of GCS score.ConclusionsPlasma gelsolin level is a useful, complementary tool to predict functional outcome and mortality 1 year after TBI.