Comorbidity of headache and depression after mild traumatic brain injury

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J75657

Journal:

Headache

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2016 , 56, 2, 323-330

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study examined the comorbidity of headache and depression after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The prevalence of headache and depression early after mTBI and at 1 year postinjury as well as the relationship between the two were evaluated. Data were collected from 212 participants with mTBI who were admitted to a Level 1 trauma center for observation or other system injuries. Depression was based on a score ≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Headache was based on participant report of new or worse-than-preinjury headache since hospitalization (baseline) or within the previous 3 months at 1 year postinjury. The prevalence of headache and depression at baseline was 64 percent (135/212) and 15 percent (31/212), respectively. The prevalence of headache and depression at 1 year was 68 percent (127/187) and 27 percent (50/187), respectively. The co-occurrence of headache and depression increased from 11 percent (23/212) at baseline to 25 percent (46/187) at 1 year. At 1 year, the risk ratio of individuals who had headache to be depressed was 5.43 compared to those without headache. The corresponding risk ratio at baseline was 1.64. Results indicate that while prevalence of headache is consistently high over the first year after injury, rate of depression increased over the first year for those who were followed. Given the high rate of comorbidity, those with headache may develop depression over time. This finding suggests that evaluation for possible depression in those with headache after mTBI should be conducted to address both conditions over the year following injury.

Author(s):