A National Survey of Traumatic Brain Injuries Admitted to Hospitals in Sweden from 1987 to 2010

Abstract

Background: With an increasing and aging population, there is a global demand for improving the primary prevention strategies aimed at reducing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The objective of the present epidemiological study was to evaluate the pattern of TBI in Sweden over a 24 years period (1987-2010).

Methods: The Swedish Hospital Discharge Register was used, where in-patient care with a main diagnosis of TBI according to ICD9/10 was included. External factors, age and gender distribution was evaluated.

Results: A decreasing number of annual incidence was observed, that is, from 230 to 156 per 100,000 inhabitants. A steady decrease of concussion was observed while other intracranial injuries increased especially traumatic subdural hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The study identified 3 groups of patients - young, adults and elderly. The highest incidence and the largest increase of incidence were seen in the oldest age group (85+ years) while the population under 65 years had a decreasing incidence of TBI. The most frequent etiology was fall accidents (57%) with a relative constant trend over the study period.

Conclusions: More effort should be focused on different strategies for different age groups, especially the elderly group. A well-planned strategy for primary prevention guidelines for different age groups will have the chance to further reduce not only the health-care costs but also complications among elderly care.