Study of Fatigue and Associated Factors in Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Correlation with Insomnia and Depression

Fatigue has been cited as a common problem associated with traumatic brain injury. A positive association of fatigue has been suggested with insomnia and depression which are also considered to be significantly associated with traumatic brain injury.

The present study in post-traumatic brain injury patients is planned to assess the prevalence of fatigue, depression and insomnia, the correlation of fatigue with depression and insomnia and the risk factors associated with fatigue.

Total 100 patients were recruited in the present study. Interview was focused on assessment of severity of traumatic brain injury, fatigue, insomnia and depression using Glasgow Coma Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Insomnia Severity Index and Patients Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9) respectively.

Prevalence of depression was found 84% while that of fatigue and insomnia was 50% and 49% respectively. All patients with fatigue had depression whereas those patients without fatigue were also found to have depression (68%) and this correlation was found statistically significant. Similarly, insomnia was reported in 70% of patients who were fatigued against 28% of patients with no fatigue. This was also found statistically significant (P <0.0002).

Fatigue in common in post TBI patients. Insomnia and depression are closely associated with fatigue. Clinical and research investigations of fatigue in post-traumatic brain injury should include concomitant screening for treatable depressive symptoms and sleep disorders.