Estimating nonfatal traumatic brain injury hospitalizations using an urban/rural index.
OBJECTIVE
To develop state-level estimates of the annual number of nonfatal cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in hospitalization.


METHODS
The estimation process incorporates annual nonfatal TBI hospitalization case counts from 15 states funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct TBI surveillance; annual fatal TBI case counts based on National Center for Health Statistics data for all 50 states; and an index reflecting the urban/rural character of each state. These data are used to develop a negative binomial regression model that yields estimates of the annual number of nonfatal TBI hospitalization cases for each state not funded to conduct TBI surveillance.


RESULTS
Sensitivity analysis suggests that on average the estimates fall within +/- 15% of the case counts that would be obtained directly from surveillance.


CONCLUSIONS
In combination, the TBI case count data and the urban/rural index support effective modeling and estimation of annual nonfatal TBI hospitalization case counts at the state level.
Kegler
Scott R
SR
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. snk6@cdc.gov
Coronado
Victor G
VG
Annest
Joseph L
JL
Thurman
David J
DJ
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016010:Binomial Distribution; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*