Persistent post-concussion symptoms linked to greater risk for depression

People experiencing persistent post-concussion symptoms were at a higher risk for depressive symptoms, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open.

A minority of individuals who experience a concussion will experience symptoms for months or years following injury, which can be referred to as persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS), Maude Lambert, PhD, of the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa, and colleagues wrote.

Lambert and colleagues sought to assess the association between depressive symptoms and PPCS in children, adolescents and adults through a meta-analysis and to investigate potential moderators of the association. Studies that involved participants with PPCS and quantified depressive symptoms were included.

Data were extracted from 18 studies with a total of 9,101 participants. Of the 18 studies, 13 were solely comprised of adult participants. The mean time since concussion was 21.3 weeks among all participants.

The meta-analysis showed a significant association between PPCS and depressive symptoms (OR = 4.56; 95% CI, 2.82-7.37). There were no significant moderators, likely due to the small number of studies included, the authors noted.

“We found a positive association between PPCS and depressive symptoms, and these findings support the need for mental health interventions in concussion rehabilitation.” Lambert and colleagues wrote. “Gaining further knowledge on PPCS and identifying target variables that improve long-term outcomes are critical to inform the development of optimal concussion care plans.”