Injury Prevention Implications in an Ethnically Mixed Population: A Study of 764 Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective We hypothesized that an analysis of the demographic profile of patients who suffered moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) would identify wide variation in injury mechanism by age and ethnicity. The objective is to utilize this data to target injury prevention programs for specific population. Methods All head injured patients admitted to the trauma ICU were studied (N = 764). Standard demographic data, nationality, and mechanism of injury were determined. All patients had moderate to severe TBI. Demographics were cross referenced with injury mechanism, nationality and age of exposure. Results Head injuries were more common in males, the expatriate population, and the age group from 21 to 40 years. Motor vehicle collision (MVC) was the most common injury mechanism followed by fall from height (FFH) with profound ethnic differences in both ages affected and populations at risk. Struck by falling objects (SFO) was the third most common injury mechanism. TBI mortality improved over the period of study, declining from 21 to 17%. Conclusion Prevention or reduction in TBI severity has profound implications for improving public health and reducing TBI-related health care costs. The defining of populations at risk by nationality, injury mechanism and peak age of exposure can provide a model for coordinated regional or national injury prevention programs. How to cite this article Parchani A, Maull KI, Sheikh N, Sebastian M. Injury Prevention Implications in an Ethnically Mixed Population: A Study of 764 Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. Panam J Trauma Critical Care Emerg Surg 2012; 1(1):27-32.