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. 2013 Dec;23(12):750-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.07.022. Epub 2013 Sep 20.

Incidence of sport-related traumatic brain injury and risk factors of severity: a population-based epidemiologic study

Anbesaw W Selassie  1 , Dulaney A Wilson, E Elisabeth Pickelsimer, Delia C Voronca, Nolan R Williams, Jonathan C Edwards
Affiliations

Incidence of sport-related traumatic brain injury and risk factors of severity: a population-based epidemiologic study

Anbesaw W Selassie et al. Ann Epidemiol. 2013 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: Few studies of sport-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) are population-based or rely on directly observed data on cause, demographic characteristics, and severity. This study addresses the epidemiology of sport-related TBI in a large population.

Methods: Data on all South Carolina hospital and emergency department encounters for TBI, 1998-2011, were analyzed. Annual incidence rate of sport-related TBI was calculated, and rates were compared across demographic groups. Sport-related TBI severity was modeled as a function of demographic and TBI characteristics using logistic regression.

Results: A total of 16,642 individuals with sport-related TBI yielded an average annual incidence rate of 31.5/100,000 population with a steady increase from 19.7 in 1998 to 45.6 in 2011. The most common mechanisms of sport-related TBI were kicked in football (38.1%), followed by fall injuries in sports (20.3%). Incidence rate was greatest in adolescents ages 12-18 (120.6/100,000/persons). Severe sport-related TBI was strongly associated with off-road vehicular sport (odds ratio [OR], 4.73; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.92-7.67); repeated head trauma (OR, 4.36; 95% CI, 3.69-5.15); equestrian sport (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.64-4.51); and falls during sport activities (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.67-4.46).

Conclusions: The high incidence of sport-related TBI in youth, potential for repetitive mild TBI, and its long-term consequences on learning warrants coordinated surveillance activities and population-based outcome studies.

Keywords: Concussion; Mechanism of injury; Repetitive TBI; Severity; Sport-related TBI.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of identification of persons with sports-related TBI, South Carolina ED and hospital discharge, 1998–2011.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Trend of sports-related TBI by gender, South Carolina ED and hospital discharges.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Incidence rate of sports-related TBI by age group, South Carolina ED and hospital discharges, 1998–2011.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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