Factor structure and predictive validity of somatic and nonsomatic symptoms from the patient health questionnaire-9: a longitudinal study after spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the factor structure and predictive validity of somatic and nonsomatic depressive symptoms over the first 2.5 years after spinal cord injury (SCI) using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).


METHODS
Somatic and nonsomatic symptoms were assessed at baseline during inpatient hospitalization (average of 50 days after onset) and during 2 follow-ups (average of 498 and 874 days after onset).


METHODS
Data were collected at a specialty hospital in the Southeastern United States and analyzed at a medical university. We performed time-lag regression between inpatient baseline and follow-up somatic and nonsomatic latent factors of the PHQ-9.


METHODS
Adults with traumatic SCI (N=584) entered the study during inpatient rehabilitation.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
PHQ-9, a 9-item measure of depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
The inpatient baseline nonsomatic latent factor was significantly predictive of the nonsomatic (r=.40; P=.000) and somatic latent factors at the second follow-up (r=.29; P=.006), whereas the somatic factor at inpatient baseline did not significantly predict either factor. In contrast, when regressing latent factors between the 2 follow-ups, the nonsomatic factor predicted only the nonsomatic factor (r=.66; P=.002), and the somatic factor predicted only future somatic symptoms (r=.66; P=.000). In addition, the factor structure was not stable over time. Item analysis verified the instability of somatic items between inpatient baseline and follow-up and also indicated that self-harm at inpatient baseline was highly predictive of future self-harm.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonsomatic symptoms are better predictors of future depressive symptoms when first assessed during inpatient rehabilitation, whereas somatic symptoms become stable predictors only after inpatient rehabilitation. Self-harm (suicidal ideation) is the most stable symptom over time. Clinicians should routinely assess for suicidal ideation and use nonsomatic symptoms when performing assessments during inpatient rehabilitation.
Krause
James S
JS
College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. krause@musc.edu
Reed
Karla S
KS
McArdle
John J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011594:Psychometrics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors