Incidence and predictors of neuropsychiatric manifestations following a traumatic brain injury at referral hospitals in Dodoma, Tanzania: A protocol of a prospective longitudinal observational study.

Introduction: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is any injury to the brain resulting from an external force leading to complications. TBI affects 27–69 million people yearly, with high incidence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), mainly attributed to motor traffic accidents. Within three to six months following moderate-to-severe TBI, the relative risk of any psychiatric disorder is significantly higher than in the general population. Post-TBI neuropsychiatric disorders include depression with a prevalence of up to 53%, apathy up to 72%, Posttraumatic stress disorder (26%), anxiety (9%), manic symptoms (5–9%) and psychosis (3 to 8%). This study aims to determine the incidence and predictors of post-TBI neuropsychiatric manifestations among patients admitted at Referral hospitals in Dodoma. Methods and analysis: This is a prospective longitudinal observational study in which patients admitted with moderate to severe TBI will be recruited. Patients will be followed for six months, the diagnostic MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) tool will be used to assess TBI, and the severity and progression of symptoms will be evaluated using PHQ-9 for depressive symptoms, GAD-7 for anxiety symptoms, PCL-5 for Posttraumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), MoCA for cognitive assessment, AES for apathy and YMRS for manic symptoms at one, three and six months. Logistic regression will be analysed to determine the association between predictors and neuropsychiatric outcomes. Conclusion: Given the dearth of understanding of the burden of neuropsychiatric complications and associated outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, the study will shed light on the incidence and factors contributing to post-TBI neuropsychiatric complications and, thus, provide a platform for further research and design of necessary interventional programs for the population at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]