Citation

Kempf J, Werth E, Kaiser PR, Bassetti CL, Baumann CR. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 2010; 81(12): 1402-1405.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/jnnp.2009.201913

PMID

20884672

Abstract

Background 6 months after traumatic brain injury (TBI), almost three out of four patients suffer from sleep-wake disturbances (SWD) such as post-traumatic hypersomnia (increased sleep need of ≥2 h compared with before injury), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), fatigue and insomnia. The long-term course of post-traumatic SWD, however, is unknown. Objectives To assess the prevalence and characteristics of post-traumatic SWD 3 years after trauma. Design Prospective longitudinal clinical study in 51 consecutive TBI patients (43 males, eight females, mean age 40±16 years). Main outcome measures EDS (as assessed by the Epworth sleepiness scale), fatigue (fatigue severity scale), post-traumatic hypersomnia (sleep length per 24 h), insomnia, depression and anxiety. Results Post-traumatic SWD were found in 34 patients (67%): post-traumatic hypersomnia in 14 (27%), EDS in six (12%), fatigue in 18 patients (35%) and insomnia in five patients (10%). SWD were not associated with severity or localisation of, or time interval since, TBI. Insomnia was linked to depressive symptoms. Conclusions This prospective study shows that 3 years after TBI, two out of three patients suffer from residual SWD, particularly fatigue and post-traumatic hypersomnia. In 45% of TBI patients, SWD appear directly related to the trauma itself.

Language: en