Caterpillar Plot of Estimated Regression Coefficients on Mean Post-encephalitis HRQoL norm based scores.

<p>Associated factors are listed along the left axis, with the reference characteristic quoted within parentheses as appropriate. Point estimates (circles) and 95% credibility intervals (whiskers) of each regression coefficient are enumerated along the right axis. Thus, having a co-morbid illness is expected to reduce the norm-based SF-36 score by 1.9 points averaged across all domains, (95% credibility interval −4.69 –0.11 points) compared to those with no co-morbidity. As per Bayesian analysis the percent figures by each whisker indicate the posterior probability of the corresponding regression coefficient being greater or less than zero: the closer the percent value for a given parameter to 100% the greater the portion of its posterior probability mass lies to one side of zero (equivalent to an indication of statistical significance); conversely values closer to 50% indicate proximity to an equal split of the posterior distribution between positive and negative values (indicating a lack of statistical significance).</p

Sample Characteristics in those Eligible for the SF-36.

a<p>Infectious causes included viral (Herpes simplex, Varicella zoster, measles and Epstein-Barr virus), bacterial (predominantly <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>) and dual bacterial-fungal infection. Immune-mediated causes included those associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor antibodies, voltage-gated potassium channel-complex antibodies, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and one associated with a first presentation of multiple sclerosis.</p>b<p>The NS-SEC three class categorisation was rated at admission and based on the occupation of the patient.</p>c<p>The most common co-morbidities in those that completed the SF-36 were: hypertension (n = 11), hypercholesterolaemia (n = 5), asthma (n = 5) and thyroid disorder (n = 5). The most common co-morbidities in those that did not complete the SF-36 were: HIV co-infection (n = 9), hypertension (n = 7) and all cause cancer (n = 5).</p><p>IQR = interquartile range, NS-SEC = National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification.</p

Local Research Ethics Committees and Research from the participating centres which granted approval for the study to be carried out.

<p>Local Research Ethics Committees and Research from the participating centres which granted approval for the study to be carried out.</p

SF-10 scores for a Post-encephalitic Population aged 5–14 years compared with an equivalent US Population Norm [7].

<p>It was necessary to use US-based data for comparison as no equivalent UK normative dataset exists. Scores have been transformed so that the general population scores a mean of 50, with a standard deviation of 10 in each domain; so that any score less than 50 is worse than that for the general population. The vertical bars represent the standard deviation. PHS = physical summary scale, PSS = psychosocial summary scale.</p

Comparison of proportions of patients reporting a good, moderate and bad HRQoL on the SF-36 with aetiological category and with level of recovery as assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS).

<p>The p-values indicate whether the differences in proportions between good, moderate and bad HRQoL in each aetiological category and for each GOS outcome (as calculated through a 3×3 contingency table) are statistically significant (bold) or not. This indicates the strength of the statistical association between each HRQoL domain on one hand, and separately aetiological category and GOS on the other.</p><p>PF = Physical Functioning, RP = Role Physical, BP = Bodily Pain, GH = General Health, VT = Vitality, SF = Social Functioning, RE = Role Emotional, MH = Mental Health perceptions.</p

Mean norm-based SF-36 scores for patients after encephalitis compared to the age-and sex-matched general UK population.

<p>Scores have been transformed so that the general population scores a mean of 50, with a standard deviation of 10 in each domain; accordingly any score less than 50 is worse than that for the general population. Comparison is made between different aetiological categories and with a survey conducted by the Encephalitis Society in the UK of their adult members with previous self-reported encephalitis <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103496#pone.0103496-Stapley1" target="_blank">[15]</a>. The vertical error whiskers represent the standard deviation for the overall scores for each domain. PF = Physical functioning, RP = role limitation caused by physical dysfunction, BP = bodily pain, GH = general health perceptions, VT = vitality, SF = social functioning, RE = role limitations caused by emotional difficulties, MH = mental health perceptions.</p