Associations between imaging features and PTSD risk in traumatic brain injury: An analysis of bleed location and MRI pathology

Abstract

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with risk factors potentially linked to injury characteristics visible on imaging. This study examines associations between PTSD at 6 months and two imaging features: bleed location (epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, and contusions) and MRI pathology.

Methods

Using data from the TRACK-TBI Pilot Dataset, we analyzed imaging characteristics and PTSD status in 586 patients. Bleed types and MRI results were assessed in relation to PTSD rates at 6 months. We applied logistic regression for bleed locations and chi-square testing for MRI findings to determine statistical significance.

Results

Bleed location did not significantly predict PTSD at 6 months. Logistic regression analysis showed no significant association between specific bleed types (epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, or contusions) and PTSD risk (p > 0.05 for all bleed types). However, MRI findings showed a statistically significant association with PTSD status (p = 0.048). Patients with positive MRI findings indicating pathology had a lower PTSD prevalence (20.9%) compared to those with negative MRI findings (36.7%) or uncertain findings, where no PTSD cases were observed.

Conclusion

While bleed location is not significantly associated with PTSD risk, MRI results suggest a possible link between brain pathology and PTSD outcomes, with positive MRI findings associated with a lower prevalence of PTSD. These findings highlight the complex relationship between TBI imaging characteristics and PTSD risk, suggesting that MRI pathology may serve as a marker for differential PTSD outcomes. Future studies should explore underlying mechanisms and integrate clinical, genetic, and imaging data to refine PTSD risk assessment in TBI patients.