TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - Changing epidemiological patterns in traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal hospital-based study in Belgium
JO  - Neuroepidemiology
A1  - Peeters, Wouter
A1  - Majdan, Marek
A1  - Brazinova, Alexandra
A1  - Nieboer, Daan
A1  - Maas, Andrew I. R.
SP  - 63
EP  - 70
VL  - 48
IS  - 1-2
N2  - 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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<br><br>© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0251-5350
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000471877
ID  - ref1
ER  -