Early levels of GFAP and NF-L in predicting the outcome of mild TBI

Authors
hossain, Iftakher 
Mohammadian, Mehrbod 
Takala, Riikka 
Tenovuo, Olli 
Lagerstedt, Linnéa 

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Article
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to correlate the early levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light protein (NF-L) with outcome in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). 107 patients with mTBI [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≥13] having the blood samples for GFAP and NF-L available within 24 hrs from arrival were included. Patients with mTBI were divided into computed tomography (CT)-positive and CT-negative groups. Glasgow Outcome Scale extended (GOSE) was used to assess the outcome. Outcomes were defined as complete (GOSE 8) vs. incomplete (GOSE <8), and favorable (GOSE 5-8) vs. unfavorable (GOSE 1-4). GFAP and NF-L concentrations in blood were measured using ultrasensitive single molecule array technology. Patients with incomplete recovery had significantly higher levels of NF-L compared to those with complete recovery (p=0.005). The levels of GFAP and NF-L were significantly higher in patients with unfavorable outcome than in patients with favorable outcome (p=0.002 for GFAP and p <0.001 for NF-L). For predicting favorable outcome, the area under the ROC curve for GFAP and NF-L was 0.755 and 0.826, respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression model, the level of NF-L was still a significant predictor for complete recovery (OR=1.008, 95%CI, 1.000-1.016). Moreover, the level of NF-L was a significant predictor for complete recovery in CT-positive patients (OR=1.009, 95%CI, 1.001-1.016). The early levels of GFAP and NF-L are significantly correlated with the outcome in patients with mTBI. The level of NF-L within 24 hrs from arrival has a significant predictive value in mTBI also in a multivariate model.

Publication Date
2019
Online Publication Date
2019-01-08
Acceptance Date
2018-10-18
Keywords
GFAP, NF-L, outcome, traumatic brain injury
Journal Title
Journal of Neurotrauma
Journal ISSN
0897-7151
1557-9042
Volume Title
Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert
Sponsorship
Academy of Medical Sciences (unknown)
European Commission (270259)
This work was partially funded by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7-270259-TBIcare), Integra EANS Research Grant (IH), University of Turku Graduate School funding (MM), Government’s Special Financial Transfer tied to academic research in Health Sciences (JPP, RSKT), and personal grants from Emil Aaltonen Foundation sr and Finnish Brain Foundation sr (JPP)