Alcohol and drug toxicology screens at time of hospitalization do not predict PTSD or depression after traumatic injury.

BACKGROUND: Identifying risk factors for the development of PTSD and depression is critical for intervention and recovery after injury. Given research linking toxicology screens and substance use and the evidenced relationship between substance misuse and distress, the current study aimed to gauge the predictive value of toxicology testing on PTSD and depression. METHODS: Patients admitted to a Level I Trauma Center (N = 379) completed the PC-PTSD, PCL-C, and PHQ-8 at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Results showed 52% of tested patients had a positive toxicology test, 51% screened for PTSD, and 54% screened for depression. Positive drug or alcohol toxicology tests were not significantly associated with PTSD or depression. CONCLUSIONS: Toxicology testing may not meaningful predict depression or PTSD in traumatic injury patients. Future research using validated measures of problematic substance use is needed to better understand how misuse may influence the development of psychological distress.

The intensive care unit experience: Psychological impact on family members of patients with and without traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: The intensive care unit (ICU) has been identified as a possible contributor to emotional distress. This study seeks to identify whether families of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the ICU experience psychological differences as compared with non-TBI patients' family members. METHOD: Eighty-two family members in a trauma/critical care ICU were assessed at baseline and again at 3 months. The Patient Health Questionnaire 8-Item measured depression, the Primary Care PTSD Screen measured symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS). RESULTS: Forty of these individuals were the family members of ICU patients who had sustained a TBI; 42 of the individuals were the family members of non-TBI patients in the ICU. At baseline, 39% (33% non-TBI, 45% TBI, p = .28) of the total sample screened positive for depressive symptoms and 24.3% (26% non-TBI, 23% TBI, p = .69) screened positive for PTS symptoms. However, differences emerged between the groups at 3 months, with family members in the non-TBI group showing a significant decrease in both baseline depression and PTS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This study, to our knowledge, is the first of its kind to examine psychological differences in the ICU in those whose family members either have or do not have a TBI. Results suggest the TBI group endorsed more symptoms of depression and PTS symptoms at 3 months. Although it is unclear whether symptoms were directly related to the ICU experience or the injury itself, future research should explore the possible additive effect of postintensive care syndrome-family symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record