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Objectives: Traumatic experiences may result in several psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigated the TBI prevalence rates among trauma survivors in a rehabilitation setting.
Methods: We retrospectively examined the medical records of patients, who were referred to the consultation–liaison department and had experienced trauma. Sociodemographic data including age, sex, employment status, marital status, also Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) scores, PTSD diagnosis and TBI status were collected and analyzed.
Results: A total of 79 trauma survivors were admitted to the Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Department between November 2011 and December 2012. Ninety-five percent (n=75) of them male, and 5% of them (n=4) were female. Mean age was 24.2±4.46 years old (mean±SD). Prevalence rates for PTSD was 65.8% (n=52) and for TBI was 19% (n=15) among these trauma survivors. PTSD comorbidity rate was found to be 73.3% (n=11) among patients with TBI, while 64.1% (n=41) of patients were without TBI (p>0.05). Total CAPS scores were 73.5±48.4 (mean±SD) among patients without TBI, while 87.8±47.2 among patients with TBI (t=-1.35, p>0.05).
Conclusions: We found high prevalence rate for TBI among trauma survivors and a higher comorbidity rate among those with PTSD in our rehabilitation setting. TBI comorbidity is challenging while treating psychiatric disorders. Providers of health care to the trauma survivors should consider this high prevalence and comorbidity rates for TBI.