Citation

Schnieders J, Willemsen D, de Boer H. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2012; 27(6): 404-412.

Affiliation

Department of Rehabilitation, Waterland Hospital, Purmerend (Dr Schnieders) and Department of Internal Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem (Drs Willemsen and de Boer), The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0b013e3182306341

PMID

22190008

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: The annual incidence of traumatic brain injury in Europe amounts to 235 per 100 000 persons. About two-thirds will develop posttraumatic brain injury chronic fatigue (pTBI-CF). AIM:: To identify the reversible hormonal and nonhormonal causes of pTBI-CF. PATIENTS AND METHODS:: Ninety patients with varying degrees of pTBI-CF underwent endocrine testing and an evaluation of sleep, attention, coping style, daily activity and dependency, physical performance, emotional well-being, and quality of life. RESULTS:: Vitamin D deficiency was found in 65%, poor sleep quality in 54%, anxiety disorders in 36%, growth hormone deficiency in 16%, and gonadal hormone deficiencies in 9%. Fatigue severity was correlated with poor sleep (R = +0.65, P < .0001), serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels (R = -0.50, P < .0001), and anxiety (R = +0.50, P < .0001) but not with growth hormone deficiency or gonadal hormone deficiencies. The first 3 factors together explained 59% of the fatigue score variance. CONCLUSIONS:: Poor sleep, vitamin D deficiency, and anxiety were the most important factors associated with pTBI-CF. Appropriate treatment of these disorders may help to reduce fatigue in these patients.

Language: en