@article {Brett282, author = {Benjamin L Brett and Samuel R Walton and Zachery Y Kerr and Lindsay D Nelson and Avinash Chandran and J D Defreese and Ruben J Echemendia and Kevin M Guskiewicz and William P Meehan III and Michael A McCrea}, title = {Distinct latent profiles based on neurobehavioural, physical and psychosocial functioning of former National Football League (NFL) players: an NFL-LONG Study}, volume = {92}, number = {3}, pages = {282--290}, year = {2021}, doi = {10.1136/jnnp-2020-324244}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {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{\textendash}70 years, with an average 18.0 TYP ({\textpm}4.5) completed a questionnaire. SR-CHx distributions included: low (0{\textendash}3; n=221); intermediate (4{\textendash}8; n=209) and high (9+; n=256). LPA measures included: Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders Emotional{\textendash}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.}, issn = {0022-3050}, URL = {https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/92/3/282}, eprint = {https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/92/3/282.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery \& Psychiatry} }