Article

Long-term mental fatigue following traumatic brain injury is endorsed
as one of the most distressing symptoms, interfering considerably with return to
work and social life. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to estimate
the prevalence of long-term mental fatigue after traumatic brain injury and to
evaluate its association with employment status.
METHODS: All patients (age range 19-65 years) diagnosed with traumatic brain injury irrespective of severity at
Kungalv Hospital, Kungalv, Sweden, over a period of 5 years (n = 613) were
invited by post to respond to questions about their injury, employment status and
complete a questionnaire about mental fatigue, the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS).
RESULTS: A response rate of 38% was achieved. Among respondents, 39% scored above
the MFS cut-off of 10.5. Higher MFS scores were associated with decreased
employment status (p < 0.001). Rating on the MFS was higher for women, for those
with a longer initial duration of acute post-traumatic brain injury symptoms, and
for those who had previously experienced a traumatic brain injury. No association
was found between mental fatigue and age, severity of injury, or time since
injury. CONCLUSION: Long-term mental fatigue was frequent among people who had
experienced a traumatic brain injury, and a higher rating on the MFS was associated with decreased employment status.

Langue : ANGLAIS