Distinct latent profiles based on neurobehavioural, physical and psychosocial functioning of former National Football League (NFL) players: an NFL-LONG Study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2021 Mar;92(3):282-290
Date
01/24/2021Pubmed ID
33483350DOI
10.1136/jnnp-2020-324244Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85099772966 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 19 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify subgroups of former National Football League (NFL) players using latent profile analysis (LPA) and examine their associations with total years of participation (TYP) and self-reported lifetime sport-related concussion history (SR-CHx).
METHODS: Former NFL players (N=686) aged 50-70 years, with an average 18.0 TYP (±4.5) completed a questionnaire. SR-CHx distributions included: low (0-3; n=221); intermediate (4-8; n=209) and high (9+; n=256). LPA measures included: Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders Emotional-Behavioral Dyscontrol, Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Cognitive Function, Emotional Support, Self-Efficacy, Meaning and Purpose, Physical Function, Pain Interference, Participation in Social Roles and Activities, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, and Sleep Disturbance. Demographic, medical/psychiatric history, current psychosocial stressors, TYP and SR-CHx were compared across latent profiles (LPs).
RESULTS: A five profile solution emerged: (LP1) global higher functioning (GHF; 26.5%); (LP2) average functioning (10.2%); (LP3) mild somatic (pain and physical functioning) concerns (22.0%); (LP4) somatic and cognitive difficulties with mild anxiety (SCA; 27.5%); LP5) global impaired functioning (GIF; 13.8%). The GIF and SCA groups reported the largest number ofe- medical/psychiatric conditions and higher psychosocial stressor levels. SR-CHx was associated with profile group (χ2(8)=100.38, p<0.001); with a higher proportion of GIF (72.6%) and SCA (43.1%) groups reporting being in the high SR-CHx category, compared with GHF (23.1%), average (31.4%) and somatic (27.8%) groups. TYP was not significantly associated with group (p=0.06), with greater TYP reported by the GHF group.
CONCLUSIONS: Five distinct profiles of self-reported functioning were identified among former NFL players. Several comorbid factors (ie, medical/psychiatric diagnoses and psychosocial stressors) and SR-CHx were associated with greater neurobehavioural and psychosocial dysfunction.
Author List
Brett BL, Walton SR, Kerr ZY, Nelson LD, Chandran A, Defreese JD, Echemendia RJ, Guskiewicz KM, Meehan Iii WP, McCrea MAAuthors
Benjamin Brett PhD Assistant Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMichael McCrea PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Lindsay D. Nelson PhD Associate Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedBrain Concussion
Cohort Studies
Football
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders
Middle Aged
Quality of Life
Social Adjustment
United States