Prevalence, natural course and predictors of depression 1 year following traumatic brain injury from a population-based study in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
Depression is common post-TBI, yet has not been studied longitudinally, nor at a population level. This study examined prevalence of depression in a population-based sample across the first year post-TBI.


METHODS
Prospective follow-up of 315 adults (>16 years) with assessments (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, DSM-IV criteria) at 1-, 6- and 12-months post-TBI. Demographic and injury-related predictors of depression at 1-year post-TBI were also explored.


RESULTS
The number of individuals identified as depressed reduced significantly between baseline and 12-months post-TBI from 21-12.4% using the HADS and 49-34% using DSM-IV criteria; with only 10 of the 28 individuals initially meeting criteria on the HADS continuing to do so at 12-month follow-up. Meeting HADS depression criteria was linked to pre-morbid depression and/or anxiety; while those meeting DSM-IV criteria were older, but not significantly so.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest depression is common post-TBI and that clinicians/researchers use caution in its diagnosis, as existing criteria have significant overlap with common TBI sequels.
School of Psychology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Auckland , New Zealand .
S
S
Barker-Collo
A
A
Jones
K
K
Jones
A
A
Theadom
A
A
Dowell
N
N
Starkey
V L
VL
Feigin
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
Depression; population-based; traumatic brain injury