Postconcussional Disorder Following Mild to Moderate Traumatic BrainInjury: Anxiety, Depression, and Social Support as Risk Factors and Comorbidities.

Previous studies of postconcussional disorder (PCD) have utilized a dimensionalapproach (i.e., number and/or severity ratings of symptoms) to study postconcussionalsymptoms. This study used a syndromal approach (modified form of the DSM-IVcriteria) for investigating risk factors for developing PCD, 3-months postinjury.The head trauma requirement was waived in order to determine specificity ofsymptoms to traumatic brain injury. Preliminary results from this ongoingstudy indicated significant risk factors including female gender, poor socialsupport, and elevated self-reported depressive symptoms at 1-month postinjury.Comorbidities included concurrent diagnosis of major depressive disorder and/orposttraumatic stress disorder. Hispanics were significantly less likely todevelop PCD than other racial/ethnic groups. PCD resulted more frequentlyfrom motor vehicle accidents and assaults. Screening tests for PCD risk factors/comorbiditiesperformed shortly after injury (i.e., during routine follow-up clinic appointments)coupled with appropriate referrals for psychoeducational interventions andsupport groups may avoid prolonged loss of productivity and poor perceivedquality of life in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]