Predictors of depression among patients having post traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is associated with multiple neuropsychiatry sequelae, including problems with cognition, emotion and behaviour.The present study was undertaken to assess the cognitive dysfunction and severity of depression among patients with post Traumatic Brain Injury.Materials and Methods: The quantitative, descriptive cross sectional survey design on 154 patients with post TBI, attending followup OPD were enrolled. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) was used. Result revealed that 37.7% of subjects had mild depression, 34.4% had moderate depression whereas 27.9% didn’t report any depressive symptoms. The significant predictors of depression were gender (OR =3.80, 95% CI=1.50-9.63) nuclear family (OR=3.00, 95% CI=1.19-7.56), severity of injury (OR =7.13, 95% CI= 1.90-26.76) and job loss (OR=0.12, 95% CI=0.03- 0.41). Conclusion: Patients with TBI are at great risk for developing depression. Nurses should be trained in using standardized scales to identify depression and to refer for the treatment accordingly. Screening and early identification of depression among post TBI patients helps in the prompt treatment which ensures faster recovery and improvement in their quality of life.