Psychiatric challenges in the first 6 years after traumatic brain injury: cross-sequential analyses of Axis I disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the preinjury rates of Axis I disorders and the prospective rates within the first 6 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and cross-sequential.


METHODS
Community-based research and training center.


METHODS
Persons (N=188) who had sustained TBI within 4 years of enrollment into the project were interviewed at either 2 and 3 assessments. Each assessment was approximately 1 year apart. Several Axis I diagnoses were analyzed to detect cross-sectional differences (by age and time postinjury) and average individual changes over the multiple measurement time points.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.


RESULTS
The odds ratios changed longitudinally within each subject, indicating a decreased probability of having an Axis I diagnosis over time. There were few cross-sectional differences in age; therefore, age at the time of injury had little impact on Axis I diagnoses. Cross-sectional time since injury was not associated with more psychiatric disorders, whereas cross-sectional preinjury history of psychiatric disorders was predictive of postinjury psychiatric disorders. After controlling for cross-sectional effects, the frequencies of Axis I disorders increased in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorders in the first assessment postinjury and declined in subsequent assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-sequential analyses that control for cross-sectional and longitudinal differences produced a more complete description of psychiatric disorders after TBI.
Ashman
Teresa A
TA
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. teresa.ashman@mssm.edu
Spielman
Lisa A
LA
Hibbard
Mary R
MR
Silver
Jonathan M
JM
Chandna
Tina
T
Gordon
Wayne A
WA
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D013997:Time Factors