Postconcussive symptom report: the relative influence of head injury and depression

J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2002 Dec;24(8):981-93. doi: 10.1076/jcen.24.8.981.8372.

Abstract

The present study explored whether any subset of self-reported postconcussion (PCS) symptoms or specific PCS symptom is sensitive and/or specific to head injury in non-self-selected samples of individuals aged 18-21 with head injury and depression (n = 32), head injury without depression (n = 31), depression without head injury (n = 25), and controls (n = 50). All participants completed a self-report PCS symptom scale based on their current symptoms. Results showed that depression, not head-injury status, largely accounted for elevation in PCS symptom reports, including cognitive symptoms. Thus, report of cognitive PCS symptoms is not specific to head injury, raising concerns about using such items to screen for head injury in the general population.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / complications*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / psychology
  • Depression / etiology*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Post-Concussion Syndrome / complications*
  • Post-Concussion Syndrome / psychology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Verbal Learning