Scientific article
English

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in a High-Income Country: An Epidemiological Study

Published inJournal of neurotrauma, vol. 30, no. 23, p. 1934-1942
Publication date2013-12
Abstract

This adult cohort determined the incidence and patients' short-term outcomes of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) in Switzerland and age-related differences. A prospective cohort study with a follow-up at 14 days was performed. Patients ≥16 years of age sustaining sTBI and admitted to 1 of 11 trauma centers were included. sTBI was defined by an Abbreviated Injury Scale of the head (HAIS) score >3. The centers participated from 6 months to 3 years. The results are presented as percentages, medians, and interquartile ranges (IQRs). Subgroup analyses were performed for patients ≤65 years (younger) and >65 (elderly). sTBI was observed in 921 patients (median age, 55 years; IQR, 33–71); 683 (74.2%) were male. Females were older (median age, 67 years; IQR, 42–80) than males (52; IQR, 31–67; p<0.00001). The estimated incidence was 10.58 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Blunt trauma was observed in 879 patients (95.4%) and multiple trauma in 283 (30.7%). Median Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) on the scene was 9 (IQR 4–14; 8 in younger, 12 in elderly) and in emergency departments 5 (IQR, 3–14; 3 in younger, 8 in elderly). Trauma mechanisms included the following: 484 patients with falls (52.6%; younger, 242 patients [50.0%]; elderly, 242 [50.0%]), 291 with road traffic accidents (31.6%; younger, 237 patients [81.4%]; elderly, 54 [18.6%]), and 146 with others (15.8%). Mortality was 30.2% (24.5% in younger, 40.9% in elderly). Median GCS at 14 days was 15 (IQR, 14–15) without differences among subgroups. Estimated incidence of sTBI in Switzerland was low, age was high, and mortality considerable. The elderly had higher initial GCS and a higher death rate, but high GCS at 14 days.

Keywords
  • Accidents / statistics & numerical data
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Injuries / epidemiology
  • Brain Injuries / mortality
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Income
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sample Size
  • Sex Factors
  • Switzerland / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome
Citation (ISO format)
WALDER, Bernhard et al. Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in a High-Income Country: An Epidemiological Study. In: Journal of neurotrauma, 2013, vol. 30, n° 23, p. 1934–1942. doi: 10.1089/neu.2013.2955
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
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Identifiers
Additional URL for this publicationhttp://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/neu.2013.2955
Journal ISSN0897-7151
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