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Advanced Neurology TBI and depression by veteran status

Table 1. Sample characteristics stratified by veteran status and depression
Variable Whole sample Veteran Non‑veteran
Depression No depression Depression No depression Depression No depression
(n, %) (n, %) (n, %) (n, %) (n, %) (n, %)
TBI history
No 1180 (5.4) 20602 (94.6) 93 (12.9) 77 (4.6) 1098 (5.5) 18890 (94.5)
Yes 564 (10.2) 4941 (89.8) 629 (87.1) 1596 (95.4) 469 (9.9) 4290 (90.1)
Age, mean±SD 51.84±18.86 53.22±18.52 59.06±16.53 64.80±16.13 51.05±18.94 52.17±18.36
Sex
Male 848 (6.5) 12239 (93.5) 177 (7.9) 2054 (92.1) 656 (6.2) 9986 (93.8)
Female 1139 (7.3) 14392 (92.7) 26 (9.2) 256 (90.8) 1092 (7.3) 13906 (92.7)
Race and ethnicity
White 1289 (6.8) 17719 (93.2) 145 (7.3) 1836 (92.7) 1127 (6.7) 15658 (93.3)
African American 273 (9) 2766 (91) 31 (11.5) 239 (88.5) 233 (8.7) 2448 (91.3)
Hispanic 282 (6.6) 3991 (93.4) 17 (9.8) 156 (90.2) 259 (6.5) 3753 (93.5)
Other 144 (6.3) 2159 (93.7) 10 (11.2) 79 (88.8) 130 (6.0) 2037 (94.0)
Education status
Below high school 247 (10.2) 2179 (89.8) 6 (7.3) 85 (93.4) 235 (10.3) 2052 (89.7)
12 grade/GED/ 982 (8.6) 10489 (91.4) 121 (10.7) 1005 (89.3) 841 (8.3) 9294 (91.7)
th
Equivalent
Associate degree 259 (7) 3445 (93) 33 (8.2) 369 (91.8) 223 (6.9) 3030 (93.1)
Bachelor’s degree 323 (4.9) 6298 (95.1) 29 (5.6) 489 (94.4) 291 (4.8) 5722 (95.2)
Postgraduate degree 164 (3.8) 4111 (96.2) 13 (3.5) 358 (96.5) 148 (3.8) 3698 (96.2)
General health status
Excellent 137 (2.3) 5732 (97.7) 13 (3.7) 342 (96.3) 121 (2.2) 5288 (97.8)
Very good 361 (3.7) 9302 (96.3) 26 (3.4) 737 (96.6) 328 (3.7) 8436 (96.3)
Good 568 (6.7) 7876 (93.3) 51 (6.1) 784 (93.9) 507 (6.8) 6964 (93.2)
Fair 543 (15.2) 3041 (84.8) 57 (13.8) 356 (86.2) 476 (15.3) 2632 (84.7)
Poor 378 (36.1) 670 (63.9) 56 (38.9) 88 (61.1) 316 (35.8) 566 (64.2)
Hypertension 910 (8.4) 9866 (91.6) 121 (8.9) 1232 (91.1) 771 (8.3) 8519 (91.7)
Cardiovascular disease 190 (10.7) 1588 (89.3) 40 (12) 293 (88) 147 (10.3) 1280 (89.7)
Cancer 258 (7) 3407 (93) 35 (6.3) 523 (93.7) 221 (7.2) 2839 (92.8)
Diabetes 354 (11.1) 2832 (88.9) 49 (11.1) 393 (88.9) 299 (11.1) 2404 (88.9)
Abbreviations: SD: Standard deviation; TBI: Traumatic brain injury.

deprivation, exertion, and nutritional deficiency, often issue that may have debilitating effects both on the healthcare
develop psychological disorders later in their lives. This system and the personal lives of the affected individuals. This
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is often compounded by TBI suffered by veterans on requires urgent intervention from public health organizations
active duty as many of them suffer from post-traumatic both among the general population and veterans. Most of
stress disorder, cognitive deficits, and suicidal thoughts. the cases of depression among veterans are resolved after
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Affected persons might suffer from other symptoms psychotherapy and pharmacological management. Cognitive
alongside depression including chronic pain and loss behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy help people
of employment. In addition, an increased incidence of manage negative thoughts and suicidal ideation, as well as
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brain cancer was reported among veterans suffering from help developing coping skills. Patients unresponsive to
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moderate-to-severe head injury. 22 psychological therapy are often treated with antidepressants
The higher odds of depression and incidence of TBIs and mood stabilizers. At present, available antidepressants
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reported among veterans contribute to a major public health are highly effective, reducing symptoms by more than 50%

Volume 4 Issue 3 (2025) 73 doi: 10.36922/AN025050008