Assessment of Neuropsychological Impairment among Individuals with a History of Head Trauma – A Case-Control Analysis

Abstract

Objective:  To determine the frequency of different neuropsychological impairments in traumatic head injury survivors compared to those without a history of head trauma. Materials and Methods:  A case-control study was done in Karachi, Pakistan, during February 2023 and March 2023, with participants aged 18 and above, of both genders, with or without a history of head trauma forming the case and control groups, respectively. Individuals with a history of head trauma or congenital neurological impairment were not included. Screening tools included the ESS, UNS, GAD-7 scale, and PHQ-9. Results:  A total of 303 participants were enrolled, out of these 128 (42.2%) were in the case group and 175 (57.8%) were in the control group. The most common source of head injury was Road Traffic Accidents (53.9%, n = 69). 143 (63.8%) out of 224 males had a positive history of head trauma in their lifetime, making the male gender more susceptible. The majority who had a history of head trauma lie in the age group < 21 years (52.6%, n = 110). No significant association was found between the interpretations of screening scales and history of head trauma. Conclusion:  Traumatic head injuries and their long-term consequences can predispose a person to experience any cognitive impairment in their life. However, in this study, we could not find significant neuropsychiatric deficits in patients with a history of head trauma. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct further large-scale, multi-center, and controlled studies to explore the cognitive and psychological impairment associated with head trauma.