Association between facial fractures and long-term mental health
Facial fractures can affect eating, breathing, communication, vision and appearance. Many facial fractures result from interpersonal violence, a context in which patients’ mental health may already be vulnerable. Existing studies have reported high rates of depression, stress and anxiety after injury, but cover only short periods and do not explore other mental health outcomes.
Gabrielle’s project investigates whether hospitalization for a facial fracture is associated with subsequent hospital admissions related to psychiatric conditions, substance use disorders or suicide attempts over a much longer period.
Approach and methodology
The retrospective cohort study will analyze records for 64,089 patients hospitalized for facial fractures in Quebec between 1989 and 2023, with follow-up extending up to 34 years after injury.
Outcomes of interest include hospitalizations for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and psychosis; substance use disorders involving alcohol, opioids, cocaine or cannabis; and suicide attempts. A comparison group without fractures will be used, and Cox regression models will estimate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals.
Expected contribution
The research is designed to strengthen evidence about potential longer-term mental health needs after facial injury. Its findings may help clinicians consider follow-up care and future research priorities.
About the researcher
Gabrielle Kang-Auger is a master’s student in epidemiology at McGill University and holds a medical degree from the Université de Montréal. Her clinical training sparked an interest in psychiatry and surgery, particularly the mental health needs of surgical patients.
She previously studied mental health among people with burn injuries. Her master’s thesis examines subsequent mental health outcomes following facial fractures.
During the project period, Gabrielle planned to begin a surgical residency with a focus on the mental health needs of surgical patients.
