STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SELF-REPORTED FATIGUE AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Abstract

Objective

To examine the associations between recent stressful life events and self-reported fatigue and depressive symptoms in patients with mild traumatic brain injury.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Participants

Patients (aged 18–68 years) with mild traumatic brain injury ( n = 99) or lower extremity orthopaedic injury ( n = 34).

Methods

Data on stressful life events and self-reported symptoms were collected 3 months post-injury. Stressful life events in the last 12 months were assessed as part of a structured interview using a checklist of 11 common life events, self-reported fatigue with Barrow Neurological Institute Fatigue Scale, and depressive symptoms with Beck Depression Inventory – Fast Screen.

Results

Median number of stressful life events was 1 (range 0–7) in the mild traumatic brain injury group and 1.5 (range 0–6) in the orthopaedic injury group. The groups did not differ significantly in terms of fatigue or depressive symptoms. In the mild traumatic brain injury group, the total number of recent stressful life events correlated significantly with self-reported fatigue (r _s = 0.270, p = 0.007) and depressive symptoms (r _s = 0.271, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Stressful life events are associated with self-reported fatigue and depressive symptoms in patients with mild traumatic brain injury. Clinicians should consider stressful life events when managing patients who experience these symptoms, as this may help identifying potential targets for intervention.

LAY ABSTRACT

Fatigue and depressive symptoms are common after mild traumatic brain injury. Many factors can contribute to experiencing these symptoms. This study investigated whether recent stressful life events are associated with patients’ self-reports of fatigue or depressive symptoms 3 months after having sustained a mild traumatic brain injury. It was found that recent stressful life events are connected with patients’ experience of both these symptoms. These findings suggest that healthcare professionals should ask their patients about stressful life events, as this may help in treatment planning and symptom management.