Traumatic brain injury, psychiatric diagnoses, and suicide risk among Veterans seeking services related to homelessness

Prevalence, correlates, and mental health burden associated with homelessness in U.S. military veterans

BACKGROUND

Homelessness is a major public health problem among U.S. military veterans. However, contemporary, population-based data on the prevalence, correlates, and mental health burden of homelessness among veterans are lacking.

METHODS

Data were analyzed from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative survey of veterans (n = 4069). Analyses examined the prevalence and correlates of homelessness, as well as the independent associations between homelessness and current probable psychiatric conditions, suicidality, and functioning.

RESULTS

The lifetime prevalence of homelessness was 10.2% (95% confidence interval 9.3-11.2). More than 8-of-10 veterans reported experiencing their first episode of homelessness following military service, with a mean of 10.6 years post-discharge until onset (s.d. = 12.6). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), cumulative trauma burden, current household income, younger age, and drug use disorder emerged as the strongest correlates of homelessness (49% of total explained variance). Veterans with a history of homelessness had elevated odds of lifetime suicide attempt, attempting suicide two or more times, and past-year suicide ideation [odd ratios (ORs) 1.3-3.1]. They also had higher rates of current probable posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive, generalized anxiety, and drug use disorders (ORs 1.7-2.4); and scored lower on measures of mental, physical, cognitive, psychosocial functioning (d = 0.11-0.15).

CONCLUSIONS

One in ten U.S. veterans has experienced homelessness, and these veterans represent a subpopulation at substantially heightened risk for poor mental health and suicide. ACEs were the strongest factor associated with homelessness, thus underscoring the importance of targeting early childhood adversities and their mental health consequences in prevention efforts for homelessness in this population.

Exploring and Mapping Screening Tools for Cognitive Impairment and Traumatic Brain Injury in the Homelessness Context: A Scoping Review

Cognitive impairment is common amongst people experiencing homelessness, yet cognitive screening and the collection of history of brain injury rarely features in homelessness service delivery practice. The purpose of this research was to scope and map strategies for screening for the potential presence of cognitive impairment or brain injury amongst people experiencing homelessness and identify instruments that could be administered by homelessness service staff to facilitate referral for formal diagnosis and appropriate support. A search was conducted across five databases, followed by a hand search from relevant systematic reviews. A total of 108 publications were included for analysis. Described in the literature were 151 instruments for measuring cognitive function and 8 instruments screening for history of brain injury. Tools that were described in more than two publications, screening for the potential presence of cognitive impairment or history of brain injury, were included for analysis. Of those regularly described, only three instruments measuring cognitive function and three measuring history of brain injury (all of which focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI)) may be administered by non-specialist assessors. The Trail Making Test (TMT) and the Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID) are both potentially viable tools for supporting the identification of a likely cognitive impairment or TBI history in the homelessness service context. Further population-specific research and implementation science research is required to maximise the potential for practice application success.

A latent class analysis to identify subgroups of VHA using homeless veterans at greater risk for suicide mortality

BACKGROUND

Homeless Veterans are at substantially elevated risk for suicide mortality; however, understanding of drivers of suicide in this population remains limited.

METHOD

Building upon prior work, we conducted a retrospective chart review, comprised of a latent class analysis of 724,752 Veterans with use of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) homeless services 2005-2018.

RESULTS

A five-model class membership solution was identified. Among these classes, risk for suicide mortality was greatest among Veterans with the highest psychiatric burden and high VHA service use. Those experiencing moderate psychiatric burden or primarily experiencing substance use disorders also experienced elevated risk for suicide mortality relative to those with low burden and service use.

LIMITATIONS

Models were specific to Veterans accessing VHA homeless services and may not generalize to those not using such services outside VHA care.

CONCLUSIONS

Continued research and programing remain necessary to determine how to address mental health conditions and engage homeless Veterans in services to facilitate suicide prevention.

Traumatic brain injury in the homeless: health, injury mechanisms, and hospital course

Primary ObjectiveEstablished literature demonstrates that homeless individuals experience both greater disease burden and risk of experiencing traumatic brain injury (TBI) than the general population. Similarly, shared risk factors for both homelessness and/or TBI may exacerbate the risk of repetitive neurotrauma within homeless populations.Research DesignWe leveraged a state-wide trauma registry, the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study (PTOS), to characterize 609 patients discharged to homeless (58% TBI, 42% orthopedic injury (OI)) in comparison to 609 randomly sampled adult patients discharged to home.Methods and ProceduresWe implemented Chi-square tests to examine preexisting health conditions (PECs), hospital course, and injury mechanisms for both patient groups.Main Outcomes and ResultsHomelessness affects a greater proportion of nonwhite patients, and homeless patients present for care with increased frequencies of psychiatric and substance use PECs, and alcohol-positive TBI. Furthermore, assault impacts a larger proportion of homeless patients, and the window for overnight assault risk resulting in TBI is extended for these patients compared to patients discharged to home.ConclusionGiven the shifting conceptualization of TBI as a chronic condition, identifying homeless patients on admission to trauma centers, rather than retrospectively at discharge, can enhance understanding of the challenges facing the homeless as they age with both a complex neurotrauma history and multimorbidity.

Health Determinants among North Americans Experiencing Homelessness and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in those experiencing homelessness has been described in recent literature as a contributor to increased morbidity, decreased functional independence, and early mortality. In this systematically conducted scoping review, we aimed to better delineate the health determinants-as defined by Health Canada/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-associated with TBI in North Americans experiencing homelessness. BIOSIS, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Global Health were searched from inception to December 30, 2020. Gray literature search consisted of relevant meeting proceedings. A two-step process was undertaken, assessing title/abstract and full articles, respectively, based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, leading to the final 20 articles included in the review. Data were abstracted, assessing the aims, literature quality, and bias. Five health determinants displayed strong associations with TBI in those North Americans experiencing homelessness, including male gender, poor physical environment, negative personal health behaviors, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and low educational attainment. In those studies displaying a comparator population experiencing homelessness without TBI, the TBI group displayed trends toward increased disparity in Health Canada and CDC defined health determinants. Most studies suffered from moderate limitations. There are associations between male gender, poor physical environment, negative personal health behaviors, ACEs, and limited education in those experiencing homelessness and TBI. The results suggest that those experiencing homelessness with TBI in North America suffer poorer health consequences than those without TBI. Future research on TBI in North Americans experiencing homelessness should focus on health determinants as potential areas for intervention, which may lead to improved outcomes for those experiencing both homelessness and TBI.

Traumatic brain injury among female veterans: a review of sex differences in military neurosurgery

The impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been demonstrated in various studies with respect to prevalence, morbidity, and mortality data. Many of the patients burdened with long-term sequelae of TBI are veterans. Although fewer in number, female veterans with TBI have been suggested to suffer from unique physical, mental, and social challenges. However, there remains a significant knowledge gap in the sex differences in TBI. Increased female representation in the military heralds an increased risk of TBI for female soldiers, and medical professionals must be prepared to address the unique health challenges in the face of changing demographics among the veteran TBI population. In this review, the authors aimed to present the current understanding of sex differences in TBI in the veteran population and suggest directions for future investigations.

Traumatic brain injury in homeless and marginally housed individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Homelessness is a global public health concern, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) could represent an underappreciated factor in the health trajectories of homeless and marginally housed individuals. We aimed to evaluate the lifetime prevalence of TBI in this population, and to summarise findings on TBI incidence and the association between TBI and health-related or functioning-related outcomes.

METHODS

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched without date restrictions for original research studies in English that reported data on the prevalence or incidence of TBI, or the association between TBI and one or more health-related or function-related outcome measures. Studies were included if they had a group or clearly identifiable subgroup of individuals who were homeless, marginally housed, or seeking services for homeless people. With use of random-effects models, we calculated pooled estimates of the lifetime prevalence of any severity of TBI and the lifetime prevalence of moderate or severe TBI. We used meta-regression and subgroup analysis to evaluate potential moderators of prevalence estimates and the leave-one-out method for sensitivity analyses. We then summarised findings from all studies that evaluated TBI incidence and the association between TBI and health-related or functioning-related outcomes. All statistical analyses were done using R version 3.5.1. The study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019119678.

FINDINGS

Of 463 potentially eligible studies identified by the search, 38 studies were included in the systematic review and 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The lifetime prevalence of any severity of TBI in homeless and marginally housed individuals (18 studies, n=9702 individuals) was 53·1% (95% CI 46·4-59·7; I²=97%) and the lifetime prevalence of moderate or severe TBI (nine studies, n=5787) was 22·5% (13·5-35·0; I²=99%). The method used to ascertain TBI history, the age of the sample, and the sample size significantly moderated estimated lifetime prevalence of any severity of TBI. TBI was consistently associated with poorer self-reported physical and mental health, higher suicidality and suicide risk, memory concerns, and increased health service use and criminal justice system involvement.

INTERPRETATION

The lifetime prevalence of TBI is high among homeless and marginally housed individuals, and a history of TBI is associated with poorer health and general functioning. Health-care providers and public health officials should have an increased awareness of the burden of TBI in this population. Prospective and longitudinal studies are needed to better understand how the health of this population is affected by TBI.

FUNDING

Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Cognitive impairment and homelessness: A scoping review

This paper reports the findings of a scoping review designed to identify research which has explored the relationship between cognitive impairment and homelessness. A systematic search of databases for articles published between 2007 and 2017 was conducted using keywords relating to cognitive impairments and homelessness. Sources were expanded using manual searches of citations and grey literature. Forty studies represented in 45 papers were selected for review using predefined inclusion criteria. Sources were subject to quality appraisal and data were extracted in line with review questions. Prevalence studies were over-represented in the review, while qualitative data were lacking. Aetiology of impairments was delineated by acquired and developmental causes. A variety of measures were employed by studies which were not validated in homeless populations. Studies did not give sufficient consideration to co-occurring disorders and overlapping symptoms between aetiologies. Because of these factors, it was difficult to conclude that all studies had accurately measured what they set out to; however, the evidence suggested that cognitive impairment was disproportionately over-represented in homeless populations. Cognitive impairment was found to be both a risk factor to and perpetuator of homelessness. Risk factors for homelessness were similar to those of the general population, though exaggerated by sequelae of certain cognitive impairments. The results of this review suggest that more attention needs to be paid to the underlying socioeconomic disadvantages, persons with cognitive impairments face which may lead to homelessness. Further research should prioritise the voice of homeless persons with cognitive impairments, to better understand both causes of homelessness and effective methods of rehabilitation.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychiatric Co-Morbidity in the United States

The objective of the present study was to provide a nationally representative psychiatric epidemiologic investigation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its co-morbid conditions. Data from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III) collected between 2012 and 2013 was used. Results indicated that TBI was significantly associated with any lifetime mental health (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.65-3.70), substance use disorder (AOR = 1.57-1.01-2.42), and violent (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.03-2.65) and nonviolent (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.25-2.70) criminal behaviors. In our study, TBI was highly comorbid with psychiatric disorders and especially antisocial behaviors, both violent and non-violent.