Objective To analyze the independent risk factors of depression after skull defect.

Methods Eighty patients with skull defect were selected as the study objects (experimental group), and 40 family members of patients with skull defect were selected as control group. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate depression. According to the evaluation results, the patients of the experimental group were divided into depressive group (HAMD score ≥ 20 points) and non-depressive group. The influencing factors of depression after skull defect were analyzed by univariate analysis, and the risk factors of depression after skull defect were analyzed by Logistic regression.

Results In the experimental group, there were 34 depressed patients and 46 non-depressed patients, with a depression rate of 42.5%; in the control group, there were 5 depressed patients, 35 non-depressed patients, with a depression rate of 12.5%. There was statistical significance in depression rate between the two groups (P < 0.05). Glasgow Coma Score (GCS, P < 0.001), personality (P=0.028), family economic status (P=0.042), skull defect time (P=0.002), skull defect area (P=0.001), frontal lobe injury (P=0.016), limb movement disorder (P=0.010) were the influencing factors of depression after skull defect. The area of skull defect >100 cm²(P=0.010), limb movement disorder (P=0.027), and low GCS score (P=0.002) were risk factors for depression after skull defect.

Conclusion Clinical attention should be paid to depression in skull defect patients with severe primary brain injury, large skull defect area and limb movement disorders, and targeted measures should be taken during diagnosis and treatment.