Long-term psychiatric outcomes following traumatic brain injury: a review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and long-term psychiatric health outcomes, occurring 6 months or more after TBI.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Systematic review of the published, peer-reviewed literature.


METHODS
Not applicable.


RESULTS
We identified studies that examined psychiatric disorders following TBI. There was sufficient evidence of an association between TBI and depression and similarly compelling evidence of an association between TBI and aggression. There was limited/suggestive evidence of an association between TBI and subsequent completed suicide, decreased alcohol and drug use compared to preinjury levels, and psychosis. While there was also limited/suggestive evidence for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military populations with TBI, there was inadequate evidence to reach a conclusion about whether TBI was associated with PTSD in civilian populations.


CONCLUSIONS
TBI is associated with a wide range of psychiatric disorders among individuals surviving at least 6 months. The association between mild TBI and PTSD seems to differ in military and civilian populations.
Hesdorffer
Dale C
DC
Gertrude H Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, and Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA. dch5@columbia.edu
Rauch
Scott L
SL
Tamminga
Carol A
CA
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D013997:Time Factors