Mortality among Veterans following Traumatic Brain Injury: A VA Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study.

Few studies have examined long-term mortality following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a military population. This is a secondary analysis of a prospective, longitudinal study that examines long-term mortality (up to 10 years) post-TBI, including analyses of life expectancy, causes of death and risk factors for death in service members and veterans (SM/V) who survived the acute TBI and inpatient rehabilitation. Among 922 participants in the study, the mortality rate was 8.3% following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The mean age of death was 54.5 years, with death occurring on average 3.2 years after injury, and with an average 7-year life expectancy reduction. SM/V with TBI were nearly 4 times more likely to die compared with the US general population. Leading causes of death were external causes of injury, circulatory disease, and respiratory disorders. Also notable were deaths due to late effects of TBI itself and suicide. Falls were a significant mechanism of injury for those who died. Those who died were also more likely to be older at injury, unemployed, non-active duty status, not currently married, and had longer post-traumatic amnesia, longer rehabilitation stays, worse independence and disability scores at rehabilitation discharge, and a history of mental health issues prior to injury. These findings indicate that higher disability and less social supportive infrastructure are associated with higher mortality. Our investigation into the vulnerabilities underlying premature mortality and into the major causes of death may help target future prevention, surveillance, and monitoring interventions.

Applying the PTSD Checklist-Civilian and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 crosswalk in a traumatic brain injury sample: A veterans affairs traumatic brain injury model systems study.

This study evaluates the use of the crosswalk between the PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) designed by Moshier et al. (2019) in a sample of service members and veterans (SM/V; N = 298) who had sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and were receiving inpatient rehabilitation. The PCL-C and PCL-5 were completed at the same time. Predicted PCL-5 scores for the sample were obtained according to the crosswalk developed by Moshier et al. We used three measures of agreement: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), mean difference between predicted and observed scores, and Cohen's κ to determine the performance of the crosswalk in this sample. Subgroups relevant to those who have sustained a TBI, such as TBI severity, were also examined. There was strong agreement between the predicted and observed PCL-5 scores (ICC = .95). The overall mean difference between predicted and observed PCL-5 scores was 0.07 and not statistically significant (SD = 8.29, p = .89). Significant mean differences between predicted and observed PCL-5 scores calculated between subgroups were seen in Black participants (MD = -4.09, SD = 8.41, p = .01) and those in the Year 5 follow-up group (MD = 1.77, SD = 7.14, p = .03). Cohen's κ across subgroups had a mean of κ = 0.76 (.57-1.0), suggesting that there was moderate to almost perfect diagnostic agreement. Our results suggest the crosswalk created by Moshier et al. can be applied to SM/V who have suffered a TBI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Effect of Post-traumatic Amnesia Duration on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) First Year Hospital Costs: A Veterans Affairs Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as measured by duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and first year hospitalization costs for service members and veterans (SMVs) treated for TBI at Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). DESIGN: Multivariable models of merged datasets from the VA TBI Model Systems (VA TBIMS) national database containing TBI clinical characterization including PTA with VHA hospital cost data. SETTING: Five VA PRCs. PARTICIPANTS: VA TBIMS participants with known PTA who received inpatient rehabilitation within 1 year of their TBI at any of 5 PRCs between 2010 and 2020 (N=717). INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total, acute care, rehabilitation, intensive care unit (ICU), and surgery costs across all VA hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 717 SMVs (mean age 36.9 years, 94.1% men, 76.8% non-Hispanic White, 7.8% active duty) met inclusion criteria for the unadjusted analyses. Unadjusted mean total hospital costs in the first-year post TBI were approximately $201,214 higher for those with PTA duration ≥24 hours ($351,157) than PTA <24 hours ($149,943). In adjusted models (n=583), each additional day of PTA duration incrementally increased total ($1453), rehabilitation ($1324), ICU ($78), and surgery ($39) costs. Other significant covariates included age, acute care length of stay, Disability Rating Scale on rehabilitation admission, penetrating violent cause of injury, and drug abuse. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that PTA as a quantitative measure of TBI severity significantly affects first-year hospitalization costs of SMVs treated at PRCs. Each additional day of PTA was associated with higher total, rehabilitation, ICU, and surgery costs. Mean first year hospital costs were also found to exceed the highest budget allocation to VHA facilities for a veteran treated at a PRC. These findings have possible implications for hospital care provision for those receiving inpatient rehabilitation in VHA settings.

Alternative Structure Models of the Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Needs Survey: A Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factor structure of the Rehabilitation Needs Survey (RNS). DESIGN: Secondary analysis of observational cohort study who were 5-years post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). SETTING: Five Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans enrolled in the TBI Model Systems longitudinal study who completed the RNS at 5-year follow-up (N=378). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): RNS. RESULTS: RNS factor structure was examined with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with oblique rotation. Analyses returned 2- and 3-factor solutions with Cronbach alphas ranging from 0.715 to 0.905 and corrected item-total correlations that ranged from 0.279 to 0.732. The 2-factor solution accounted for 61.7% of the variance with ≥3 exclusively loading items on each factor with acceptable internal consistency metrics and was selected as the most parsimonious and clinically applicable model. Ad hoc analysis found the RNS structure per the EFA corresponded with elements of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) conceptual framework. All factors had adequate internal consistency (α≥0.70) and 20 of the 21 demonstrated good discrimination (corrected item-total correlations≥0.40). CONCLUSIONS: The 2-factor solution of the RNS appears to be a useful model for enhancing its clinical interpretability. Although there were cross-loading items, they refer to complex rehabilitation needs that are likely influenced by multiple factors. Alternatively, there are items that may require alteration and redundant items that should be considered for elimination.

Examining the Relationship Between Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Suicide Risk in Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: A VA TBI Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although sleep disturbances have been associated with an increased risk of suicide compared with the general population, the relationship between OSA and suicide risk after TBI is not well documented. In this study, we hypothesized that OSA diagnosis would predict suicide risk in veterans with TBI. SETTING: Five Veterans Affairs (VA) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were drawn from the VA TBI Model Systems study, with follow-up interviews at year 1 ( n = 392), year 2 ( n = 444), year 5 ( n = 498), or year 10 ( n = 252) post-TBI (7.8%-14.5% follow-up attrition). DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis from observational data using logistic regression with repeated measurements. Suicide ideation and suicide attempts were examined as outcomes at each follow-up to evaluate the relationship between OSA and suicide risk after adjusting for other risk factors determined a priori via literature review. MAIN MEASURES: Suicidal ideation (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item 9), suicide attempt during the past year (self-reported), and OSA diagnosis (self-reported). RESULTS: Contrary to study hypotheses, OSA diagnosis had no statistically significant association with suicide ideation or attempt after accounting for known predictors. However, greater depression symptoms, headache severity, and pre-TBI suicidal ideation and attempts predicted suicide risk at follow-up after accounting for other predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study did not support a relationship between OSA and suicide risk, possibly due to methodological limitations of OSA measurement. Future research on this topic should include objective measures of OSA severity and OSA treatment including adherence. Although suicide is a low base rate occurrence, the impact is disastrous and further research is needed to mitigate suicide risk.

Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Rehabilitation Health Care: A Veterans Affairs Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare barriers and facilitators to accessing health care services among service members and veterans (SMVs) by traumatic brain injury (TBI) severity groups. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study guided by an access to health care services conceptual framework. SETTING: Five Veterans Affairs (VA) polytrauma rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: SMVs (N=55, including 10 caregivers as proxies) ≥2 years post-TBI recruited from the VA TBI Model Systems and grouped by TBI severity (mild/moderate, severe). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Barriers and facilitators accessing care. RESULTS: The main facilitators included ease of communicating with providers to help SMVs identify and utilize appropriate health care, family advocates who promoted engagement in health care, ability to use government and community facilities, and online resources or equipment. Distance to services was uniformly identified as a main barrier for both patient groups. However, facilitators and barriers to health care access differed by TBI severity. SMVs with severe TBI highlighted the role of nonprofit organizations in promoting health care engagement and the availability of VA specialty residential programs in meeting health care needs. Having unrecognized health care needs in chronic stages and communication difficulties with providers were more commonplace for those with greater TBI severity and affected quality of care. Those with mild/moderate TBI highlighted challenges associated with paying for services in the community and scheduling of services. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers and facilitators exist across multiple dimensions of a health care access framework and vary by TBI severity. Results suggest possible mechanistic links between health care access and SMV health outcomes. Findings support current policy and practice efforts to facilitate health care access for SMVs with TBI but highlight the need for tailored approaches for those with greater disability.

Improving sleep apnea treatment adherence after traumatic brain injury: A nonrandomized feasibility study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of a psychological intervention designed to increase Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) adherence, adapted with cognitive accommodations for comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: This was an open-label single arm (nonrandomized) study. Eligibility criteria were moderate-to-severe TBI, OSA diagnosis, prescribed PAP, nonadherent, and able to consent. Participants were recruited from inpatient and outpatient settings at a tertiary care hospital. The four-module manualized intervention was delivered primarily via telehealth. Feasibility aspects measured included eligibility, recruitment, and retention rates; session duration and attendance; and characteristics of outcome and process measures (e.g., completion rates, data distribution). Symptom measures included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, Self-Efficacy Measure for Sleep Apnea, OSA Treatment Barriers Questionnaire (OTBQ), and Kim Alliance Scale-Revised. RESULTS: Of 230 persons screened, 14.3% were eligible. Recruitment rate (n = 17) was 51.5%. Retention rate (n = 13) was 76.5%. Treatment completers had no missing data. The OTBQ deviated from normality, but other measures had adequate skew (< 2.0) and kurtosis (< 7.0) and were free from significant floor and ceiling effects (<15%). Change score effect sizes were minimal to moderate (d = .10-.77). There were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: These results inform ways in which procedures should be modified to enhance the success of a future clinical trial testing the efficacy of this adherence intervention. Inclusion criteria should be reconsidered, and recruitment sites expanded, to capture eligible persons and adequately power an efficacy study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with worse cognitive outcomes in acute moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: A TBI Model Systems study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between polysomnography-classified obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and cognitive performance in acute moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, secondary analysis leveraging data from a clinical trial (NCT03033901) and TBI Model Systems. Sixty participants (mean age = 50 ± 18y, 72% male, 67% white) with moderate-to-severe TBI from five civilian rehabilitation hospitals were assessed at one-month post-injury. Participants underwent Level 1 polysomnography. OSA severity was classified as mild, moderate, and severe using the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Associations between OSA metrics of hypoxemia (nadir and total time spent below 90%) and AHI with cognition were examined. Cognition was assessed with the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT), which is comprised of six subtests assessing verbal memory, attention/working memory, processing speed, language, and executive function. RESULTS: Over three-quarters of this acute TBI sample (76.7%) were diagnosed with OSA (no OSA n = 14; mild OSA n = 19; moderate/severe OSA n = 27). After adjustment for age, gender, and education, those with OSA had worse processing speed, working memory, and executive functioning compared to those without OSA. Compared to those with moderate/severe OSA, those with mild OSA had worse working memory and executive function. CONCLUSIONS: OSA is highly prevalent during acute stages of TBI recovery, and even in mild cases is related to poorer cognitive performance, particularly in the domains of attention/working memory and executive functioning. Our results support the incorporation of OSA diagnostic tools and interventions into routine clinical care in rehabilitation settings.

Research Letter: Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Disease Duration on Neuropsychological Functioning After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disease duration and cognitive functioning in those with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that longer OSA duration would predict poorer cognitive performance. SETTING: Inpatient brain injury units at a Veterans Affairs (VA) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center. PARTICIPANTS: Participants in the VA TBI Model Systems multicenter longitudinal study who enrolled in a modular substudy (April 15, 2018, to January 15, 2021) examining cognition following TBI. All participants had received inpatient rehabilitation for TBI and reported a diagnosis of OSA ( n = 89, mean age = 40.8 years, 97% male, 81% White). Reported duration of OSA ranged from 2 to 7 years (mean = 4.2; SD = 3.9). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospective cohort, cross-sectional. MAIN MEASURES: Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT). RESULTS: Controlling for age, education, and time to follow commands, OSA disease duration was negatively associated with delayed verbal memory ( R2Δ = 0.053, F(1,84) = 5.479, P = .022). Performance in other cognitive domains was not significantly associated with OSA disease duration. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that longer duration of OSA (ie, time since diagnosis) has a negative impact on verbal memory in those with a history of hospitalized TBI. This finding extends the literature (which focused on the general population) on the cognitive impact of OSA and is consistent with hypothesized mechanisms such as hippocampal damage and secondary impact of fatigue. Findings suggest that early OSA identification and treatment may be prudent for persons with TBI.

The Utility of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Sleep Disturbance Item as a Screener for Insomnia in Individuals With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the utility of the sleep disturbance item of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as a screening tool for insomnia among individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). SETTING: Telephone interview. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 248 individuals with a history of moderate to severe TBI participated in an interview within 2 years of their injury. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional analysis. MAIN MEASURES: The PHQ-9 was administered along with the Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Sleep Hygiene Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Insomnia Interview Schedule. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted for the PHQ-9 sleep item rating against a set of insomnia criteria to determine an optimal cutoff score. A cutoff of 2 on the PHQ-9 sleep item maximized sensitivity (76%) and specificity (79%), with an area under the curve of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.70-0.88). The 2 groups formed using this cutoff differed significantly on all sleep measures except the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. CONCLUSIONS: The PHQ-9 sleep item may serve as a useful screener to allow for detection of potential sleep disturbance among individuals with moderate to severe TBI. Those who screen positive using this item included in a commonly used measure of depression can be prioritized for further and more comprehensive assessment of sleep disorders.

Longitudinal Patterns of Alcohol Use Following Traumatic Brain Injury in an Active Duty and Young Veteran Military Sample: A VA TBI Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe alcohol use among younger military active duty service members and veterans (SMVs) in the first 5 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and examine whether differential alcohol use patterns emerge as a function of brain injury severity and active duty service at time of injury. SETTING: Veterans Affairs (VA) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs). PARTICIPANTS: In total, 265 SMVs enrolled in the VA Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) PRC national database. Participants sustained a TBI of any severity level; received inpatient care at a PRC within 1 year of injury; were younger than 40 years; and completed survey interviews or questionnaires regarding their pre- and postinjury alcohol use for at least 3 of 4 time points (preinjury, postinjury years 1, 2, and 5). MAIN MEASURES: Self-reported alcohol use, defined as amount of weekly consumption and endorsement of binge drinking. Participant information related to demographics, injury, TBI severity, active duty status, mental health treatment, and FIM (Functional Independence Measure) total scores was also obtained to examine impact of these as covariates in the analyses. RESULTS: Alcohol use generally increased following an initial period of reduced consumption for SVMs with moderate-to-severe TBI. Individuals with mild TBI showed an opposite trend, with an initial period of increased use, followed by a decline and return to baseline levels in the long term. However, alcohol use did not significantly differ over time within this subsample after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: The current study identified longitudinal alcohol use among a young, military/veteran cohort with a history of TBI, an at-risk population for problematic alcohol use. Patterns of self-reported alcohol consumption suggest the time frame of 2 to 5 years postinjury may be a critical window of opportunity for further intervention to maintain lowered levels of alcohol use, particularly among SVMs with moderate-to-severe TBI.

Health and cognition among adults with and without Traumatic Brain Injury: A matched case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate associations between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and presence of health conditions, and to compare associations of health and cognition between TBI cases and controls. METHODS: This matched case-control study used data from the TBI Model Systems National Database (TBI cases) and Midlife in the United States II and Refresher studies (controls).  248 TBI cases were age-, sex-, race-, and education-matched without replacement to three controls. Cases and controls were compared on prevalence of 18 self-reported conditions, self-rated health, composite scores from the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone. RESULTS: The following conditions were significantly more prevalent among TBI cases versus controls: anxiety/depression (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.20, 4.43, p < .001), chronic sleeping problems (OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.86, 4.10, p < .001), headache/migraine (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.50, 4.54, p = .0007), and stroke (OR = 6.42, 95% CI: 2.93, 14.10, p < .001). The relationship between self-rated health and cognition significantly varied by TBI (pinteraction = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Individuals with TBI have greater odds of selected neurobehavioral conditions compared to their demographically similar uninjured peers. Among persons with TBI there was a stronger association between poorer self-rated health and cognition than controls. TBI is increasingly conceptualized as a chronic disease; current findings suggest post-TBI health management requires cognitive supports.

Development of the traumatic brain injury Rehabilitation Needs Survey: a Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems study.

PURPOSE: To describe the development of the Rehabilitation Needs Survey (RNS) for persons in the chronic phase of traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RNS items were generated following a literature review (January - March 2015) on the topic of rehabilitation needs and revised via consensus from an expert panel of TBI clinicians and researchers. The RNS was added to the VA TBI Model Systems longitudinal study; data collection occurred between 2015-2019. Needs were classified as current (if endorsed) or absent; if current, needs were classified as unmet if no help was received. Need frequency and association with rehabilitation outcomes were presented. RESULTS: Eight studies examined rehabilitation needs and formed the initial item pool of 42 needs. This was reduced to form the 21-item RNS which was administered at year 1 (n = 260) and year 2 (n = 297) post-TBI. Number of needs endorsed was 8-9, and number of unmet needs was 1-2, on average. Number of needs was correlated with functional status, neurobehavioral symptoms, and mental health symptoms (p < 0.05) suggesting support for convergent validity of the RNS. CONCLUSION: The RNS is a new measure of rehabilitation needs following TBI. Further investigation into its psychometrics and clinical utility is recommended.Implications for rehabilitationVeterans and Service Members with traumatic brain injury across the severity spectrum have ongoing rehabilitation needs during the chronic phase of recovery.The Rehabilitation Needs Survey is a standardized measure of rehabilitation needs following traumatic brain injury.Identification of unmet rehabilitation needs is important for raising awareness of service gaps and providing justification for resource allocation.

Health Conditions Among Special Operations Forces Versus Conventional Military Service Members: A VA TBI Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine traumatic brain injury (TBI) characteristics and comorbid medical profiles of Special Operations Forces (SOF) Active Duty Service Member/Veterans (ADSM/Vs) and contrast them with conventional military personnel. SETTING: The 5 Veterans Affairs (VA) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers. PARTICIPANTS: A subset of participants in the VA TBI Model Systems multicenter longitudinal study with known SOF status. These included 157 participants who identified as SOF personnel (average age = 41.8 years; 96% male, 81% active duty), and 365 who identified as Conventional Forces personnel (average age = 37.4 years; 92% male, 30% active duty). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospective cohort, cross-sectional. MAIN MEASURES: The Health Comorbidities Interview. RESULTS: SOF personnel were more likely to have deployed to a combat zone, had more years of active duty service, and were more likely active duty at time of TBI. SOF personnel were more likely to have had mild TBI (vs moderate/severe) and their TBI caused by violent mechanism. SOF personnel had a higher number of comorbidities, with more diagnoses of chronic pain, osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia, hip fractures, and obstructive sleep apnea. CONCLUSION: SOF personnel are at a higher risk for multimorbidity after TBI. Current rehabilitation practices should incorporate early screening and treatment of common conditions in this population, while future practices may benefit from a focus on prevention.

Neurobehavioral Symptoms in U.S. Special Operations Forces in Rehabilitation After Traumatic Brain Injury: A TBI Model Systems Study.

INTRODUCTION: Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel are at increased risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI), when compared with conventional forces (CF). Prior studies of TBI in military samples have not typically investigated SOF vs. CF as specific subgroups, despite documented differences in premorbid resilience and post-injury comorbidity burden. The aim of the current study was to compare SOF vs. CF on the presence of neurobehavioral symptoms after TBI, as well as factors influencing perception of symptom intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study conducted an analysis of the prospective veterans affairs (VA) TBI Model Systems Cohort, which includes service members and veterans (SM/V) who received inpatient rehabilitation for TBI at one of the five VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers. Of those with known SOF status (N = 342), 129 participants identified as SOF (average age = 43 years, 98% male) and 213 identified as CF (average age = 38.7 years, 91% male). SOF vs. CF were compared on demographics, injury characteristics, and psychological and behavioral health symptoms. These variables were then used to predict neurobehavioral symptom severity in univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: SOF personnel reported significantly greater posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms but less alcohol and drug use than the CF. SOF also reported greater neurobehavioral symptoms. When examining those with TBIs of all severities, SOF status was not associated with neurobehavioral symptom severity, while race, mechanism of TBI, and PTSD symptoms were. When examining only those with mTBI, SOF status was associated with lower neurobehavioral symptoms, while PTSD severity, white race, and certain mechanisms of injury were associated with greater neurobehavioral symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Among those receiving inpatient treatment for TBI, SOF SM/V reported higher neurobehavioral and symptom severity. PTSD was the strongest predictor of neurobehavioral symptoms and should be considered an important treatment target in both SOF and CF with co-morbid PTSD/TBI. A proactive human performance approach towards identification and treatment of psychological and neurobehavioral symptoms is recommended for SOF.

Sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress after traumatic brain injury (TBI): A Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems study.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex health problem in military veterans and service members (V/SM) that often co-occurs with psychological and medical conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep apnea. We aimed to examine if sleep apnea is associated with the presence and severity of PTSD in V/SM with TBI of all severities. RESEARCH METHOD: The study examined participants at varying times since their TBI (N = 602) enrolled in the Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems database. Frequency of self-reported sleep apnea diagnosis was calculated in a cross-sectional sample. Prevalence of co-occurring sleep apnea and probable PTSD was tested with a chi-square analysis. A multivariable regression model evaluated the association between sleep apnea and PTSD symptom severity while controlling for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Almost 32% of the sample stated they had been diagnosed with sleep apnea. In those reporting sleep apnea, 32% also had probable PTSD; 19% of those without sleep apnea had probable PTSD. The regression demonstrated sleep apnea was significantly associated with PTSD symptom severity (p < .001). Greater number of TBIs, recent mental health treatment, being deployed to a combat zone, and greater years since TBI were also significant predictors of PTSD symptom severity (all p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: TBI, PTSD, and sleep apnea are often comorbid in V/SM. We expand the literature by demonstrating that sleep apnea was associated with PTSD severity. A multipronged approach to TBI rehabilitation that addresses sleep and psychological distress is recommended for enhancing health outcomes in this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Performance validity testing via telehealth and failure rate in veterans with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: A veterans affairs TBI model systems study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased utilization of teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) services. Unfortunately, investigations of performance validity tests (PVT) delivered via TeleNP are sparse. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the specificity of the Reliable Digit Span (RDS) and 21-item test administered via telephone. METHOD: Participants were 51 veterans with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). All participants completed the RDS and 21-item test in the context of a larger TeleNP battery. Specificity rates were examined across multiple cutoffs for both PVTs. RESULTS: Consistent with research employing traditional face-to-face neuropsychological evaluations, both PVTs maintained adequate specificity (i.e., > 90%) across previously established cutoffs. Specifically, defining performance invalidity as RDS < 7 or 21-item test forced choice total correct < 11 led to < 10%false positive classification errors. CONCLUSIONS: Findings add to the limited body of research examining and provide preliminary support for the use of the RDS and 21-item test in TeleNP via telephone. Both measures maintained adequate specificity in veterans with moderate-to-severe TBI. Future investigations including clinical or experimental "feigners" in a counter-balanced cross-over design (i.e., face-to-face vs. TeleNP) are recommended.

Demographic and Mental Health Predictors of Arrests Up to 10 Years Post-Traumatic Brain Injury: A Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems Study.

OBJECTIVE: Examine rates and predictors of arrests in Veterans and Service Members (V/SM) who received inpatient rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury (TBI). SETTING: Veterans Administration (VA) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 948 V/SM drawn from the VA TBI Model Systems cohort with arrest data up to 10 years post-TBI. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study; secondary analysis of pre-TBI characteristics predicting post-TBI arrests. MAIN MEASURES: Disclosure of arrests pre-TBI and up to10 years post-TBI. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of the sample had been arrested prior to their TBI; 7% were arrested post-TBI. When considering all variables simultaneously in a multivariate model, pre-TBI mental health treatment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.03-9.14), pre-TBI heavy alcohol use (aOR = 3.04; CI: 1.08-8.55), and number of follow-up interviews (aOR = 2.05; CI: 1.39-4.50) were significant predictors of post-TBI arrest. CONCLUSION: Arrest rates of V/SM prior to TBI were consistent with rates of arrest for people of similar ages in the United States. Post-TBI rates were lower for V/SM than published rates of post-TBI arrests in civilians with TBI. As part of rehabilitation planning for V/SM with TBI, providers should assess for preinjury mental health services and alcohol misuse to (1) identify those who may be at risk for postinjury arrests and (2) provide relevant resources and/or supports.

Evolution of Irritability, Anger, and Aggression after Traumatic Brain Injury: Identifying and Predicting Subgroups.

The current prospective, multi-center, longitudinal cohort study examined how veterans/service members (V/SM) changed in their irritability, anger, and aggression (IAA) scores from admission to discharge in post-acute rehabilitation settings. The goals were to identify trajectory subgroups, and explore if there were different predictors of the subgroups. V/SM (n = 346) from five Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers participated. The sample was mostly men (92%) and identified as white (69%), black (13%), and other races (18%). Median age was 28 years, and 78% had sustained a severe TBI. Staff rated IAA at admission and discharge using the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 item#15. Four IAA trajectory subgroups were identified: (1) no IAA at admission or discharge (n = 89, 25.72%), (2) resolved IAA (n = 61, 17.63%), (3) delayed onset IAA (n = 31, 8.96%), and (4) persistent IAA (n = 165, 47.69%). Greater post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were the only consistent predictor of belonging to all the subgroups who had IAA compared with the no IAA subgroup. We conclude that IAA had different trajectories after a TBI. The majority of V/SM had persistent impairment from IAA, a quarter of the sample had no impairment from IAA, and fewer participants had resolving or worsening IAA. Findings emphasize the importance of educating providers and family of the different ways and times that IAA can manifest after TBI. Timely diagnosis and treatment of PTSD symptoms during and after rehabilitation are critical treatment targets.