The Psychological Impact of Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury.

BACKGROUND

Adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) present a significant medical challenge, potentially leading to life-altering consequences for patients' upper extremity pain and function. However, the psychological impact on patients has not been extensively studied.

METHODS

Adult patients with traumatic BPIs treated at 2 tertiary referral centers in the United States from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively identified. This cohort of 84 patients was targeted for prospective interviews, and 44 patients (52%) responded. Validated measures including the posttrumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition (PCL-5), Decision Regret Scale, Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Intensity, PROMIS Pain Interference, PROMIS Upper Extremity, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) were obtained through telephone-based interviews. Additional data were collected through electronic medical record review.

RESULTS

On average, patients experience low post-traumatic stress (median score 6, interquartile range [IQR] 3-20) and decision regret (median score 5, IQR 0-22.5). However, a notable fraction (18%) of patients met the clinical threshold for PTSD. Significant correlations were observed between PCL-5 scores and worse PROMIS Pain Intensity, PROMIS Pain Interference, PROMIS Upper Extremity, and QuickDASH. Decision regret scores correlated with worse PROMIS Upper Extremity and QuickDASH.

CONCLUSIONS

While the overall incidence of PTSD and treatment decision regret after adult traumatic BPI is low, clinical PTSD was found in a significant percentage of patients associated with pain and functional impairment. This study highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the psychological burden of traumatic BPI.