title: Comparison of depression, anxiety and stress in persons with traumatic and non-traumatic post-acute spinal cord injury.
abstract: METHODS
  Community cross-sectional self-report survey of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the likelihood of depression, anxiety and stress in adults with non-traumatic SCI (NT-SCI) compared with adults with traumatic SCI (T-SCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Victoria, Australia. Adults (N=443; NT-SCI n=62) living in the community and attending specialist SCI rehabilitation clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a self-report survey by internet, telephone or hard copy. Items included demographic and injury-related characteristics and the short form Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Persons with NT-SCI were significantly more likely to be female (P<0.05), older (P<0.001) and have lower-level incomplete injuries (P<0.001). The probability of depression, anxiety or stress in respondents with NT-SCI did not differ from persons with T-SCI (P>0.05). Overall, the prevalence of adverse mental health problems defined by scoring above DASS-21 cutoffs, were depression 37%, anxiety 30%, and clinically significant stress 25%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study examined multiple mental health outcomes after NT-SCI in Australia. This study provides some evidence that the results of studies of depression, anxiety or stress in persons with T-SCI can be generalised to those with NT-SCI in the post-acute phase. NT-SCI patients are also at substantial risk of poor mental health outcomes. General demographic and injury-related characteristics do not seem to be important factors associated with the mental health of adults with SCI whether the SCI is traumatic or non-traumatic in origin.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia. christine.migliorini@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Migliorini
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: New
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tonge
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors