When a minor head injury results in enduring symptoms: a prospective investigation of risk factors for postconcussional syndrome after mild traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
A significant proportion (15-30%) of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) are at risk of developing postconcussional syndrome (PCS). The aim of this study was to investigate the contributions of cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social factors to the development of PCS and identify early predictors.


METHODS
A prospective cohort design was employed. 126 MTBI patients completed baseline questionnaire assessments within 2 weeks of the injury and 107 completed follow-up questionnaire assessments at 3 and 6 months. A series of self-report measures were used to assess cognitive, behavioural and emotional responses to MTBI. The primary outcome was the ICD-10 diagnosis for PCS. Demographic and clinical characteristic variables were compared between PCS cases and non-cases using independent sample t tests and χ(2) tests. Individual and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to detect predictors of PCS.


RESULTS
Of 107 MTBI patients, 24 (22%) met the criteria for PCS at 3 months and 22 (21%) at 6 months. Individual logistic regression analysis indicated that negative MTBI perceptions, stress, anxiety, depression and all-or-nothing behaviour were associated with the risk of PCS. Multivariate analysis revealed that all-or-nothing behaviour was the key predictor for the onset of PCS at 3 months while negative MTBI perceptions predicted PCS at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides good support for the proposed cognitive behavioural model. Patients' perceptions of their head injury and their behavioural responses play important roles in the development of PCS, indicating that cognitive and behavioural factors may be potential targets for early preventive interventions.
Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. r.hou@soton.ac.uk
Ruihua
R
Hou
Rona
R
Moss-Morris
Robert
R
Peveler
Karin
K
Mogg
Brendan P
BP
Bradley
Antonio
A
Belli
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D038223:Post-Concussion Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult