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Title
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Changing epidemiological patterns in traumatic brain injury : a longitudinal hospital-based study in Belgium
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Author
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Abstract
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| Background: Various reports have suggested that epidemiological patterns of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are changing in high-income countries, but the evidence to support this is often indirect and only a few longitudinal studies exist. We aimed to explore epidemiological patterns of TBI in Belgium over a 10-year period. Methods: A retrospective analysis of Minimum Hospital Data provided by Statistics Belgium was performed for the period 2003-2012. ICD-9 classification was used to identify TBI and to differentiate subtypes. The annual incidence of hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality rates were calculated and further differentiated for age, gender and cause of injury. Results: The age-adjusted incidence of hospital admissions decreased by 3.6% per year. An increase in the number of elderly patients with TBI and a decrease in the younger age groups were found. Falls now represent the main cause of TBI. A mortality rate of 6.5 per 100,000 population per year was found and did not change significantly over time. Conclusions: This longitudinal study confirms that epidemiological patterns in TBI are changing: overall incidence is steadily decreasing, but in el-derly patients, the incidence is increasing. Falls are the leading cause, occurring most frequently in elderly patients. These changes are relevant for prevention. (C) 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Neuroepidemiology. - Basel
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Publication
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Basel
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2017
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ISSN
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0251-5350
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DOI
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10.1159/000471877
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Volume/pages
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48
:1-2
(2017)
, p. 63-70
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ISI
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000403361900009
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Pubmed ID
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28448968
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
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