Sara P D Chrisman1,2, Bridget M Whelan2, Douglas F Zatzick3, Robert J Hilt1,3, Jin Wang4, Lyscha A Marcynyszyn1, Frederick P Rivara1,2,4, Carolyn A McCarty1,2. 1. Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle WA, USA. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, USA. 3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, USA. 4. Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA.
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for emotional distress in youth with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) greater than one month. Methods: We used baseline data from an intervention study for youth with PPCS, utilizing Poisson regression to examine factors associated with exceeding clinical cut-points on measures of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Predictors included: age, sex, socioeconomic status, mental health history, duration of concussion symptoms, history of prior concussion, trauma history and sleep quality. Results: The sample included 200 youth with PPCS, (mean 14.7 SD 1.7 years, 82% white, 62% female). Forty percent reported clinically significant depressive symptoms, 25% anxiety, 14% thoughts of self-harm and 8% thoughts of suicide. History of depression was associated with 3-fold higher risk for thoughts of self-harm (95% CI:1.82-6.99) and 6-fold higher risk for suicidal ideation (95% CI:1.74-24.46). Better sleep quality was associated with lower risk for all outcomes. History of prior concussion and duration of PPCS were not significantly associated with any outcomes.Conclusions: Suicidal thoughts are common post-concussion, and history of depression is a strong risk factor. Tailored interventions may be needed to address mental health in this population.
Objectives: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for emotional distress in youth with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) greater than one month. Methods: We used baseline data from an intervention study for youth with PPCS, utilizing Poisson regression to examine factors associated with exceeding clinical cut-points on measures of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Predictors included: age, sex, socioeconomic status, mental health history, duration of concussion symptoms, history of prior concussion, trauma history and sleep quality. Results: The sample included 200 youth with PPCS, (mean 14.7 SD 1.7 years, 82% white, 62% female). Forty percent reported clinically significant depressive symptoms, 25% anxiety, 14% thoughts of self-harm and 8% thoughts of suicide. History of depression was associated with 3-fold higher risk for thoughts of self-harm (95% CI:1.82-6.99) and 6-fold higher risk for suicidal ideation (95% CI:1.74-24.46). Better sleep quality was associated with lower risk for all outcomes. History of prior concussion and duration of PPCS were not significantly associated with any outcomes.Conclusions: Suicidal thoughts are common post-concussion, and history of depression is a strong risk factor. Tailored interventions may be needed to address mental health in this population.
Authors: Shawn R Eagle; David Brent; Tracey Covassin; Robert J Elbin; Jessica Wallace; Justus Ortega; Raymond Pan; Martina Anto-Ocrah; David O Okonkwo; Michael W Collins; Anthony P Kontos Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2022-07-01