Anxiety and depression symptoms in relatives of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury survivors — A multicentre cohort

The prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression symptoms in relatives of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors have not been thoroughly investigated. Ancillary study of a multicentric prospective randomized-controlled trial in nine university hospitals in 370 moderate-to-severe TBI patients. TBI survivor-relative dyads were included in the 6th month of follow-up. Relatives responded to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The primary endpoints were the prevalence of severe symptoms of anxiety (HADS-Anxiety ≥ 11) and depression (HADS-Depression ≥ 11) in relatives. We explored the risk factors of severe anxiety and depression symptoms. Relatives were predominantly women (80.7%), spouse-husband (47.7%), or parents (39%). Out of the 171 dyads included, 83 (50.6%) and 59 (34.9%) relatives displayed severe symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. Severe anxiety symptoms in relatives were independently associated with the patient’s discharge at home (OR 2.57, 95%CI [1.04–6.37]) and the patient’s higher SF-36 Mental Health domain scores (OR 1.03 95%CI [1.01–1.05]). Severe depression symptoms were independently associated with a lower SF-36 Mental Health domain score (OR = 0.98 95%CI [0.96−1.00]). No ICU organization characteristics were associated with psychological symptoms in relatives. There is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among relatives of moderate-to-severe TBI survivors at 6 months. Anxiety and depression were inversely correlated with the patient’s mental health status at 6 months. Long-term follow-up must provide psychological care to relatives after TBI.