Accuracy of world-wide-web death searches for persons with traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
Determine (1) the sensitivity of world-wide-web searches for deaths among persons with traumatic brain injuries and (2) factors associated with the likelihood of identifying deceased persons with traumatic brain injuries.


METHODS
Stratified case series.


METHODS
Sequential submission of 371 deceased persons with traumatic brain injuries to a world-wide-web site to determine inclusion in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI).


RESULTS
Almost 87% of deceased persons ages 50+ were found, 69.8% of persons ages 30-49 and 34.6% of persons younger than age 30. Other factors influencing the likelihood of finding deceased persons in the SSDI were male gender, white race, being married, knowing the Social Security number and survival of 1+ years post-injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The SSDI provides useful information for mortality studies among persons with traumatic brain injuries, but does a poor job of identifying deaths among younger persons. Sole reliance on the SSDI may result in under-ascertainment of mortality.
Devivo
Michael J
MJ
University of Alabama at Birmingham's Injury Contol Research Center, UAB School of Medicine, 35233-7330, USA. devivo@uab.edu
Underhill
Andrea T
AT
Fine
Philip R
PR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000401:mortality*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors