[Comparative study of psychiatric disorders in general traumatism and brain injured patients]

This study evaluates the presentation of different psychiatric pathologies secondary to traumatic injuries; assessing the presentation frequency and how it correlates with whether it is a brain injury (TBI) or one in a different corporal area.

The study group consisted of 249 patients, 122 with TBI and 127 with injuries from different body areas. The patients conditions were evaluated at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after the traumatic episode. Psychiatric diagnosis was made using a structured clinical interview and DSM-IV criteria.

Depressive and anxiety disorders were observed in frequencies similar to previous reports; without significant differences between TBI and non-TBI groups. The organic change of personality was significantly more frequent among patients with TBI than among the non-TBI with apathy features. There was a significant decrease in quality of life one year after the traumatism in both groups.

Psychiatric disease is a frequent complication of injured patients; and it is associated with deterioration of general health and quality of life. TBI patients have more probability of developing an organic change of personality.