B - 25 Documenting the Prevalence of Sleep Disturbances among TBI Survivors: a FITBIR Study

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to utilize data from the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research (FITBIR) database to document the short-term prevalence of sleep disorders among a sample of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) survivors. Method Data was extracted from the FITBIR website. Adult individuals who sustained an mTBI (Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire; RPQ6) and had a data collection timepoint within 10 days of the injury were included. Measures of demographic characteristics and sleep problems (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI) were utilized. A total of 74 participants (97% male, 73% white, mean age = 22.49 SD = 11.25) were included. Descriptive analysis were conducted to document the prevalence of sleep problems among this sample. Results Across our sample, broad sleep difficulties were common (PSQI Mean = 7.014, Median = 5, SD = 7.56). 47.29% of participants reported severe sleep difficulties (PSQI >5). 14(23.3%) individuals met criteria for insomnia based on their component 5 scores. Among individuals with a bed partner, only 3(7%) endorsed long breathing pauses, suggestive of Central Sleep Apnea (CSA), 16(40%) endorsed snoring, suggestive of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and 16(22%) endorsed leg twitching, possibly indicative of Restless Leg Syndrome. Conclusion This study highlights the prevalence of sleep problems as a salient issue among mTBI patients. The FITBIR is a valuable tool to further TBI research. Future studies should examine the temporal trajectory of sleep problems and its relationship to other outcomes and include more diverse samples.