Psychiatric hospitalization and veterans with traumatic brain injury: a retrospective study

J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2008 Nov-Dec;23(6):401-6. doi: 10.1097/01.HTR.0000341436.59627.a5.

Abstract

Objective: To determine risk factors for psychiatric hospitalization after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in veterans. SUBJECTS AND PROCEDURES: Medical records of 96 veterans with histories of TBI (17 mild, 33 moderate, and 46 severe) were reviewed for information concerning psychiatric history, including hospitalization and substance misuse.

Results: Subjects with a history of problematic drug and alcohol use had a significantly higher probability of psychiatric hospitalization than those without such a history. Gender, age, problematic alcohol use without problematic drug use, injury severity, time since injury, years of follow-up, and a history of psychiatric symptoms (including those attributed to general medical conditions) were not identified as significant risk factors. Ninety-one veterans (95%) had a history of psychiatric difficulty. In addition, the probability of post-TBI problematic drug and alcohol use, given a pre-TBI history of such use, was significantly higher than the probability given no history.

Conclusions: Veterans with problematic drug and alcohol use are at increased risk for psychiatric hospitalization after TBI. In addition, the likelihood of problematic post-TBI drug and alcohol use was significantly greater for those with a preinjury history. Ninety-five percent of veterans in the current sample endorsed lifetime histories of psychiatric difficulty. These findings highlight the need for evidence-based means of psychiatric and/or substance abuse treatment of those with a history of TBI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Injuries / complications*
  • Brain Injuries / psychology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk
  • Substance-Related Disorders / etiology*
  • Veterans*
  • Young Adult