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 elderly patients, the incidence is increasing. Falls are the leading cause, occurring most frequently in elderly patients. These changes are relevant for prevention.
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 elderly patients, the incidence is increasing. Falls are the leading cause, occurring most frequently in elderly patients. These changes are relevant for prevention.
Authors: Junjie Zhao; Xiaoye Guo; Bo Wang; Zhongbo Yang; Tingqin Huang; Dan Guo; Ming Zhang; Jinning Song Journal: Neurochem Res Date: 2020-05-30 Impact factor: 4.414
Authors: Jussi P Posti; Matti Sankinen; Jussi O T Sipilä; Jori O Ruuskanen; Jaakko Rinne; Päivi Rautava; Ville Kytö Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2019-04-01 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Denise Jochems; Eveline van Rein; Menco Niemeijer; Mark van Heijl; Michael A van Es; Tanja Nijboer; Luke P H Leenen; R Marijn Houwert; Karlijn J P van Wessem Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-10-07 Impact factor: 4.379