Purpose: S-100B protein is a new possible indicator of brain damage after severe head injury. In outcome assessment there is an increasing focus on measures of health outcome incorporating the person's own perspective. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the correlation of early S-100B serum level to the quality of life.
Method: fifty-one patients with severe head injury were included in a prospective study. Blood samples were taken on admission (mean 2.5 hours). The outcome was assessed at follow-up using the Glasgow Outcome Scale and a questionnaire according to Blau to assess the quality of life.
Results: high serum concentrations of S-100B on admission correlate to unfavourable outcome according to the GOS (4.9 micro g/l vs 1.6 micro g/l, mean, p < 0.0008). In addition, the S-100B serum concentrations on admission correlate to quality of life in the survivor group. Patients with S-100B serum levels < or = 0.5 micro g/l scored 71.4 points (mean) on the QoL index compared to patients with elevated S-100B concentrations, who scored 55.4 points (mean, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: S-100B seems to be able to assess the extent of primary brain damage after trauma.