BACKGROUND: The treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Myanmar is a major health issue. Comprehensive appreciation of the pathology is limited given the lack of granular metadata available. In this proof-of-concept study, we analyzed demographic data on TBI generated from a novel, prospective, online database in a lower-middle income country. METHODS: Neurosurgery residents were given an electronic tablet for data entry into an online database. Metadata-driven data capture was carried out prospectively by trained residents, and the information was reviewed weekly by the supervising team in the United States. RESULTS: Complete data were available on 242/253 (96%) patients. Age at admission was 37 years (range 16-85), and length of stay was 3.53 days (1-21). Etiologies included motorcycle accidents, falls, assaults, pedestrian vehicular injuries, and industrial accidents. Dispositions were primarily to home (211). Average Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission was 12.97. There was a 68% mortality rate of patients directly admitted to the North Okkalappa General and Teaching Hospital with a Glasgow Coma Scale score <8 versus 75% for patients transferred in from other facilities. Surgery was performed on 30 patients (12.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lack of formal training in electronic medical records or research, the resident team was able to capture the majority of admissions with granular-level data. This helped shed light on the etiology and severity of TBI in Myanmar. As a result, more effective transport systems and access to trauma care must be achieved. Accessible regional trauma centers with investment in intensive care units, operative care, anesthesia, and imaging resources are necessary.
BACKGROUND: The treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Myanmar is a major health issue. Comprehensive appreciation of the pathology is limited given the lack of granular metadata available. In this proof-of-concept study, we analyzed demographic data on TBI generated from a novel, prospective, online database in a lower-middle income country. METHODS: Neurosurgery residents were given an electronic tablet for data entry into an online database. Metadata-driven data capture was carried out prospectively by trained residents, and the information was reviewed weekly by the supervising team in the United States. RESULTS: Complete data were available on 242/253 (96%) patients. Age at admission was 37 years (range 16-85), and length of stay was 3.53 days (1-21). Etiologies included motorcycle accidents, falls, assaults, pedestrian vehicular injuries, and industrial accidents. Dispositions were primarily to home (211). Average Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission was 12.97. There was a 68% mortality rate of patients directly admitted to the North Okkalappa General and Teaching Hospital with a Glasgow Coma Scale score <8 versus 75% for patients transferred in from other facilities. Surgery was performed on 30 patients (12.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lack of formal training in electronic medical records or research, the resident team was able to capture the majority of admissions with granular-level data. This helped shed light on the etiology and severity of TBI in Myanmar. As a result, more effective transport systems and access to trauma care must be achieved. Accessible regional trauma centers with investment in intensive care units, operative care, anesthesia, and imaging resources are necessary.
Authors: Sudipta Kumer Mukherjee; Daniel J Olivieri; Sarosh Irfan Madhani; Christopher M Bonfield; Edith Mbabazi; D M Arman; Michael C Dewan; Sheikh Muhammad Ekramullah Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2022-05-19 Impact factor: 1.532
Authors: Katharina Kohler; Phyu Phyu Nwe Myint; Sein Wynn; Alexander Komashie; Robyn Winters; Myat Thu; Mu Mu Naing; Thinn Hlaing; Rowan Burnstein; Zaw Wai Soe; John Clarkson; David Menon; Peter John Hutchinson; Tom Bashford Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-05-09 Impact factor: 3.006