Early patients' illness perception as a predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder and quality of life one month after mild traumatic brain injury: a
prospective study

Early patients' illness perception as a predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder and quality of life one month after mild traumatic brain injury: a
prospective study

illness perceptions, post-traumatic stress disorder, quality of life, traumatic brain injury

Introduction: The illness perception of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) patients before discharge from the
hospital tends to be inappropriate. Apart from that, post-injury symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) are often experienced by patients, which can affect their quality of life. However, research linking patient
perceptions with post-traumatic stress and quality of life remains scarce. This study aimed to examine patient’s illness
perceptions and their relationship with PTSD and HRQOL.
Methods: This study employed a prospective survey. Illness perceptions were measured before hospital discharge,
and a follow-up of post-traumatic stress and health-related quality of life using an online survey was conducted one
month later. The survey was administered from July to October 2023 at two hospitals, with a sample size of 72 mTBI
patients.
Results: mTBI patients with older age (p= .001), negative emotional perceptions (p = < .001), more consequence (p
= .045), more concern about their injury (p = < .001) are significantly related to more symptoms of post-traumatic
stress. Patients with mTBI who felt more identity symptoms of IR (p = .001), worsened personal control (p = .041),
and worsened treatment control (p = .011) are significantly related to deteriorated quality of life one month after
injury.
Conclusions: This study produces evidence that mTBI patients' perceptions before leaving the hospital tend to be
inappropriate and are related to post-traumatic stress and quality of life one month later. Based on these results, it is
crucial for trauma nurses to identify patients' illness perceptions and initiate appropriate interventions to reduce PTSD
symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.

Mulyadi Mulyadi1,* , Siriluk Sithichoksakulchai2

, Lenny Ganika1

, Erika Emnina Sembiring1

http://dx.doi.org/10.20473/jn.v19i1.51316

8 January 2024

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