The constellation of late post-traumatic symptoms of mild head injury patients

A questionnaire based investigation was carried out in patients with mild head injury (MHI) one to five years after the injury. A heterogeneous item pool was used in order to study the interrelationships between traditional postconcussive complaints and more emotional and vegetative complaints. A three-factor model of residual subjective and psycho logical complaints was identified in the patient population (N = 231). This model contained a dysthymic factor, a vegetative/bodily complaints factor, and a cognitive performance factor. A factor analysis in a matched non-concussed population (N = 231) revealed a rather different pattern. Although symptoms in both the patient and control group were non-specific in nature, patients reported significantly more severe symptoms compared with control persons.