Abstract

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTA) in Saudi Arabia are a major concern to both the public and health sectors alike. Victims who survive such an incident suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) with lifelong impact leading to disability. Apathy as a result of TBI following RTA is one of the most negative consequences of such an incident. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of apathy as a result of TBI among RTA survivors in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: Data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire. A total of 38 informants agreed to complete the questionnaire as a proxy to a first-degree relative who sustained a TBI as a result of RTA. The questionnaire contained the apathy evaluation scale (AES) to diagnose apathy and the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to differentiate between apathy and depression.
Results: The prevalence of apathy in this study was (76.31%). In comparison, depression prevalence was accounted for (71%). There was an association between apathy and depression among patients who sustained a TBI as a result of RTA. This had a statistical significance of a (p = 0.009).
Conclusion: Both depression and apathy are having an alarmingly high prevalence among RTA survivors as a result of TBI and have the potential to negatively affect outcomes and quality of life for such a population. Knowing that depression and apathy are common in patients following TBI can help physicians to screen patients for early interventions and biopsychosocial counseling, hence, better clinical outcomes.

Key words: Road traffic accident, traumatic brain injury, apathy, depression, Saudi Arabia