Anxiety Disorders in Adults With Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury: Evidence of Difficulties More Than 10 Years Postinjury. Issue 3 (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Albicini, Michelle; McKinlay, Audrey
• Is Part Of: Journal of head trauma rehabilitation. Volume 33:Issue 3(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: anxiety -- anxiety disorders -- brain injuries -- child -- concussion; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Brain damage -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000312
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-9701

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To explore long-term psychiatric outcomes in individuals with a history of childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) or orthopedic injury (OI). Setting: Hospital emergency department, medical admission records and outpatient settings. Participants: There were 95 males ( M = 22.78 years, SD = 3.44 years) and 74 females ( M = 22.27 years, SD = 3.09 years), 65 with mild TBI ( M = 23.25 years, SD = 3.58 years), 61 with moderate-severe TBI ( M = 22.34 years, SD = 2.79 years), and 43 with OI ( M = 21.81 years, SD = 3.36 years). Design: Longitudinal, between-subjects, cross-sectional design using retrospective and current data. Main Measures: Semistructured interview to obtain psychiatric diagnoses and background information, and medical records for identification of TBI. Results: Group with moderate-severe TBI presented with significantly higher rates of any anxiety disorder (χ 2 2 = 6.81, P = .03) and comorbid anxiety disorder (χ 2 2 = 6.12, P < .05). Group with overall TBI presented with significantly higher rates of any anxiety disorder (χ 2 1 = 5.36, P = .02), panic attacks (χ 2 1 = 4.43, P = .04), specific phobias (χ 2 1 = 4.17, P = .04), and depression (χ 2 1 = 3.98, P < .05). Prediction analysis revealed a statistically significant model (χ 2 7 = 41.84, P < .001) explaining 23% to 37% of the variance in having any anxiety disorder, with significant predictors being group (TBI) and gender (female). Conclusions: Children who have sustained a TBI may be vulnerable to persistent anxiety, panic attacks, specific phobias, and depression, even 13 years after the injury event.