A Comparison of Functional Outcomes between Patients Admitted to Inpatient Rehabilitation after Initial Diagnosis Versus Recurrence of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Background Prior studies of inpatient rehabilitation of patients with brain tumor demonstrate similar functional gains as compared to other rehabilitation populations. There are few studies specifically examining the rehabilitation of patients with glioblastoma. Objective To compare functional outcomes between matched patients admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation after initial diagnosis of glioblastoma (iGBM) and after diagnosis of recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). Design A retrospective, case-matched study using descriptive statistics compared demographic information and functional outcomes as designated by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score. Setting A single, freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Patients Over a 20-month period, 25 patients with iGBM were matched with 25 patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility with rGBM by the following criteria: (1) side of lesion (left/right hemisphere), (2) admission total FIM score within 10 points, (3) age within 10 years, and (4) gender. Nineteen of the 25 patients in each group were matched meeting all criteria, and 6 of the 25 patients were matched meeting three out of four criteria. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure The primary outcome measures were differences in functional outcomes as measured by FIM scores. Results There were no statistically significant differences (P < .05) between the groups in mean admission FIM scores, discharge FIM scores, FIM gains, and FIM efficiencies. There were no statistically significant differences in the development of complications during acute rehabilitation and transfer rate to acute care hospital. Sixty-four percent of patients in both groups were able to be discharged home. Conclusions This study demonstrated no statistically significant differences in functional outcomes between matched patients admitted with iGBM compared to rGBM. Further studies are indicated to examine the rehabilitation outcomes of patients with rGBM in inpatient rehabilitation.