Comparison of depression, anxiety and stress in persons with traumatic and non-traumatic post-acute spinal cord injury

Abstract

Study design: Community cross-sectional self-report survey of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the likelihood of depression, anxiety and stress in adults with non-traumatic SCI (NT-SCI) compared with adults with traumatic SCI (T-SCI).

Setting: Victoria, Australia. Adults (N=443; NT-SCI n=62) living in the community and attending specialist SCI rehabilitation clinics.

Methods: Participants completed a self-report survey by internet, telephone or hard copy. Items included demographic and injury-related characteristics and the short form Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).

Results: Persons with NT-SCI were significantly more likely to be female (P<0.05), older (P<0.001) and have lower-level incomplete injuries (P<0.001). The probability of depression, anxiety or stress in respondents with NT-SCI did not differ from persons with T-SCI (P>0.05). Overall, the prevalence of adverse mental health problems defined by scoring above DASS-21 cutoffs, were depression 37%, anxiety 30%, and clinically significant stress 25%.

Conclusions: This study examined multiple mental health outcomes after NT-SCI in Australia. This study provides some evidence that the results of studies of depression, anxiety or stress in persons with T-SCI can be generalised to those with NT-SCI in the post-acute phase. NT-SCI patients are also at substantial risk of poor mental health outcomes. General demographic and injury-related characteristics do not seem to be important factors associated with the mental health of adults with SCI whether the SCI is traumatic or non-traumatic in origin.