Citation

Meltzer KJ, Juengst SB. Brain Inj. 2021; 35(1): 41-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699052.2020.1857438

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in frequent pain or headaches and associated neurobehavioral symptoms among men, women, and transgender individuals with and without a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI).Setting: CommunityParticipants: English and Spanish-speaking adults (n = 2,862) with and without self-reported TBIDesign: Cross-sectional studyMain Measures: Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool (BAST) subscales for Negative Affect, Substance Abuse, Executive Function, Fatigue, Impulsivity, and one item for experiencing "frequent pain or headache."Results: Women reported more pain than men. Women with a mild TBI (mTBI) more often reported frequent headaches/pain than woman in general or those with mTBI alone. Women reporting frequent headache/pain reported more negative affect and fatigue than men with comparable TBI history. Individuals identifying as transgender/other without TBI had higher negative affect and fatigue than both men and women without TBI. Individuals with mTBI and frequent headache/pain reported more executive function problems than those with mTBI without headache/pain. Pain and moderate/severe TBI were associated with more executive function problems in men and women, but more so for women.

CONCLUSION: Results suggest frequent headache/pain may differ between genders, particularly after mTBI. Pain, fatigue, executive function, and negative affect may be especially important in women's recovery from TBI.

Language: en

Keywords

behavior; emotion; gender; pain; Traumatic brain injury