Ahl et al reported risk factors for depression following traumatic injury. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from psychiatric monitoring or interventions. The authors are from Orebro University and Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden
Patient selection: trauma with no antidepressant use prior to trauma
Outcome: depression (based on a prescription of antidepressants within 1 year after the trauma)
Risk factors for depression:
(1) female sex (odds ratio 1.5)
(2) age in years from 30 to 49 years of age (30-39 years odds ratio 1.8; 40-49 years odds ratio 1.6)
(3) penetrating trauma (odds ratio 2.0)
(4) Glasgow coma score <= 8 on admission (odds ratio 1.7)
(5) admission to ICU (odds ratio 1.3)
(6) length of stay (8-14 days odds ratio 2.3; 15-21 days odds ratios 3.8; 22-28 days odds ratio 3.6; >= 29 days odds ratio 5.2)
Other factors to consider:
(1) persistent pain
(2) disability
(3) cause for the trauma
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