LAUSR

Depression is the most commonly diagnosed disorder among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Understanding the association between the depression and the cognitive and physical function has important clinical implications in promoting the quality of life. Although evidences existed that patients with TBI experienced depression, cognitive impairment, and reduction in physical function. However, the relationship among these three conditions was not well understood. In the current study, we used the Hamilton Depression Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic Scale, and Activity of Daily Living Scale to assess the conditions of depression, cognition, and activities of daily living (ADL) among 145 TBI patients. To better understand the relationship between depression, cognition, and ADL, the data was analyzed using binary logistic regression. The Odds Ratio (OR) was computed to explore the risk of cognitive impairment and low-activities of daily living with depression. A total of 62.9% ( n  = 90/145) of patients lived with depression. The risk of cognitive impairment was 2.30 times higher for patients with depression than patients without depression (OR = 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08, 4.90), and the risk of low-activities of daily living was 5.14 times higher for patients with depression than patients without depression (OR = 5.14, 95% CI 2.17, 12.14). Compared to patients without depression, patients with depression scored worse on tests of language and visual-spatial perception, and were slower on tests of executive functioning. In summary, this study provides initial evidence that depression significantly affects the cognition and ADL of TBI patients.