Comparison of depression, anxiety and stress in persons with traumatic and non-traumatic post-acute spinal cord injury.
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.
Migliorini
C E
CE
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
New
P W
PW
Tonge
B J
BJ
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