NOTICE: The original data files published with this dataset have been removed due to non-compliance with Dryad guidelines for publishing human subjects data.

Introduction

Survival rate after polytrauma increased over the past decades resulting in an increase of long-term complications. These include physical and psychiatric impairments. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors for developing depression and anxiety more than twenty years after polytrauma.

Methods

We contacted patients who were treated due to a polytrauma between 1973 and 1990 at one level 1 trauma centre after more than 20 years. These patients received a self-administered questionnaire, to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety. Prediction based on multivariate logistic regression models include injury related and non-injury related factors to determine risk factors for the development of depression and anxiety.

Results

Patients included in this study (n=337) had a mean ISS of 20.3 (4 to 50) points. In total, 173 (51.3%) showed psychiatric complications (depression n=163, 48.2%; anxiety n=14, 4.1%). The maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) for head was predictive for depression (OR 1.5 95%CI 1.1 to 5.4, p = 0.0445) as was the MAIS for spine (OR 1.7, 95%CI 1.2 to 5.9). MAIS spine was also predictive for the development of anxiety (OR 1.4, 95%CI 1.1 to 5.4, p = 0.0456). Non-injury related risk factors for depression include additional insults (OR 6.8, 95%CI 5.3 to 11.7, p = 0.0146); risk factors for the development of anxiety include need for psychiatric treatment after injury (OR 2.6, 95%CI 2.2 to 11.8, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

More than half of polytrauma patients developed psychiatric complications. Risk factors include injuries to the central nervous system, additional psychiatric insults, and the need of psychiatric treatment.