Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Pain, and Associations With Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: A Traumatic Brain Injury...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic pain (CP) is a common and debilitating condition following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• The relationship between chronic pain and suicide-related outcomes, including suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempt (SA), in the TBI population requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between chronic pain and suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempt (SA) in individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI.
• To identify factors associated with increased suicide risk in this population.

Main Methods:

• A multisite, cross-sectional observational cohort study was conducted.
• Data from 2579 participants with moderate-to-severe TBI who completed the CP Survey were analyzed.
• Outcomes included SI, SA, and experience of CP, along with demographic, injury, behavioral health, and functional characteristics.

Main Results:

• 45.2% of participants reported current chronic pain (CP).
• Current CP was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of suicidal ideation (SI) (OR=2.05).
• Elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms were linked to both SI and SA; Hispanic ethnicity and lower functional independence were associated with SA and SI, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Chronic pain is a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation in TBI survivors.
• Findings underscore the need for integrated care approaches, including proactive suicide risk screening and targeted interventions for individuals with co-occurring TBI and chronic pain.
• Further research into the specific attributes of chronic pain influencing suicide risk is warranted.