Post-traumatic stress disorder and emotional distress in persons with spinal cord lesion.

Abstract

Questionnaire. To evaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotional distress in persons with recent onset of spinal cord lesion. Denmark. A total of 69 patients with paraplegia or tetraplegia from two rehabilitation centres in Denmark filled in the questionnaire. PTSD and emotional distress were assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and the Medical-Based Emotional Distress Scale, 83 days on average after the spinal cord lesion. The level of neurological lesion and completeness were recorded adhering to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. The prevalence of PTSD was 20%. Patients with PTSD experienced significantly more symptoms of depression and more emotional distress than patients without PTSD. Age and neurological level were related to PTSD in patients with traumatic injuries, but not in patients with nontraumatic lesions. Persons with a recent onset of spinal cord lesions are at increased risk of having PTSD, and comorbidities such as depression and other symptoms of emotional distress.