Association of depression and anxiety with the severity of traumatic brain injury in patients from the metropolitan area of Medellín, 2019 - 2021

Abstract

Background: Introduction: depression and anxiety are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the relationship between these disorders and TBI severity remains contradictory. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the occurrence of anxious or depressive symptoms and TBI severity in adults with moderate or severe TBI in Medellín, Antioquia. Methods: Analytical study with a prospective cohort of patients aged 18 years and above with moderate or severe TBI. State and trait anxiety symp-toms (measured using the STAI-E and STAI-R, respectively) and depressive symptoms (measured using the PHQ-9) were assessed at baseline and at 6 months, and compared based on TBI severity measured using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Results: A total of 58 patients were included, with 35 having severe TBI and 23 having moderate TBI. 70.6% of the patients completed the follow-up. Traffic accidents and falls accounted for 86% of the TBI causes. Patients with severe TBI exhibited more intense depressive symptoms at baseline (p=0.027) and at six months (p=0.012). No significant differences were found in anxiety symptoms between groups, except for trait anxiety at six months in the severe TBI group (p=0.043). Conclusions: The intensity of depressive symptoms measured by the PHQ-9 is directly related to TBI severity assessed by the GCS, while the relationship between anxiety symptoms and TBI severity is less clear.

Keywords

• anxiety
• brain injuries
• traumatic
• depression
• patient health questionnaire