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Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Burden High in EDs
J Head Trauma Rehabil; ePub 2016 Nov 8; Cancelliere, et al
The burden of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in US emergency departments (EDs) is high, according to a recent study. Furthermore, most mTBI ED visits present with other injuries. Awareness of sociodemographic factors associated with nonisolated mTBI may help improve diagnosis in US EDs. Researchers conducted a population-based descriptive study using data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (2006-2012). They found:
- The rate per 100,000 population of mTBI ED visits in the US increased significantly from 569.4 (in 2006) to 807.9 (in 2012).
- The highest rates were observed in 0- to 4-year-olds, followed by male 15- to 24-year-olds and females ≥65 years; the lowest rates were among 45- to 64-year-olds.
- The majority (70%) of all visits were nonisolated and occurred more frequently in residents of metropolitan areas.
- Falls were the leading external cause.
- Most visits were privately insured or covered by Medicare/Medicaid, and the injury occurred on weekdays in predominantly metropolitan hospitals in the southern region.
Cancelliere C, Coronado VG, Taylor CA, Xu L. Epidemiology of isolated versus nonisolated mild traumatic brain injury treated in emergency departments in the US, 2006-2012: Sociodemographic characteristics. [Published online ahead of print November 8, 2016]. J Head Trauma Rehabil. doi:10.1097/HTR.0000000000000260.