Sleep and pain complaints in symptomatic traumatic brain injury and neurologic populations

Abstract

Objective To compare the incidence of sleep and pain complaints in symptomatic traumatic brain injury (TBI) (mild vs moderate/severe) and neurologic populations. Design Case-control study. Setting Outpatient neuropsychology service at a university-affiliated tertiary care center. Patients A consecutive sample of mild (n = 127) and moderate to severe (n = 75) patients with TBI and a general neurologic (non-TBI) group (n = 123) referred for neuropsychological assessment. Main outcome measures Patient report of sleep and/or pain problems. Results TBI subjects had significantly more insomnia (56.4% vs 30.9%) and pain complaints (58.9% vs 22%) than non-TBI subjects (p Conclusions TBI patients with persistent cognitive complaints have more sleep and pain concerns than general neurologic patients. Pain is strongly associated with sleep problems. Aggressive evaluation and treatment of pain and sleep problems in the TBI, especially mild TBI, population appears warranted and may contribute to increased disability. The etiology of greater sleep and pain problems in the mild than in the more severe TBI patients requires further study.