Associations between a history of traumatic brain injuries and conduct disorder during youth in a population sample of Canadian adults. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ilie, Gabriela; Wickens, Christine M.; Vingilis, Evelyn R.; Mann, Robert E.; Hamilton, Hayley; Toplak, Maggie; Adlaf, Edward M.; Kolla, Nathan; Ialomiteanu, Anca R.; van der Mass, Mark; Asbridge, Mark; Rehm, Jürgen; Cusimano, Michael D.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 258(2017)
• Page Start: 184
• Page End: 188
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Traumatic brain injury -- Adults -- Conduct disorder during youth -- Lifetime history of traumatic brain injury; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.08.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: This study describes the association between history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and childhood symptoms of conduct disorder (CD). Data were based on telephone interviews with 6048 respondents derived from the 2011–2013 cycles of a representative cross-sectional survey of adults aged 18+ years in Ontario, Canada. TBI was defined as loss of consciousness for at least 5 min or overnight hospitalization due to injury symptoms. Symptoms of CD before 15 years of age were assessed using five items based on the DSM-IV. Adults who reported a history of TBI reported odds 3 times higher for possible CD before 15 years of age. Odds remained significant even when age, sex, marital status, income, and education were statistically controlled. The nature of this data precludes determining if TBI occurred before or following CD symptoms. Nonetheless, the co-occurrence of a history of TBI with symptoms of CD supports the recommendation that practitioners be vigilant in assessing the history of both CD and TBI when diagnosing and treating one of these conditions. These findings do not exclude the possibility that TBI during childhood or youth may be interfering with brain development and could co-occur with conduct behaviors in both the short and long term. Highlights: History of TBI was associated with 3 times greater odds of possible CD before age 15. This association was significant even when demographics were statistically controlled. Results support considering TBI history and CD when diagnosing/treating either condition. Results suggest that TBIs in childhood or youth may interfere with brain development.