Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) at time of injury demonstrated a nonsignificant trend toward higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 3 months and significantly predicted PTSD 6 months after injury. This according to a study of 494 patients aged ≥ 18 years admitted to a Level I trauma center for ≥ 24 hours. Researchers found:

• Preinjury PTSD was reported by 7% of patients.

• At 3 months, patients with MTBI showed a probable PTSD rate of 18% vs 9% in patients with no MTBI, but the relationship became nonsignificant with demographics included.

• At 6 months, patients with MTBI showed a probable PTSD rate of 26% vs 15% for patients with no MTBI, and the relationship remained significant with demographics included.

• Preinjury history of MTBI did not predict PTSD, but incidence of TBI for the injury in which they were hospitalized did predict PTSD.

Citation: Warren AM, Boals A, Elliott TR, et al. Mild traumatic brain injury increases risk for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder. [Published online ahead of print October 19, 2015]. J Trauma Acute Care Surg.