[Epidemiological study in head injury patients].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the hospital-based epidemiological data of the head injury patients who admitted to our Emergency Surgery Department.


METHODS
The records of the patients (284 males [66%], 146 females [34%]; mean age 30+/-19) with head injury who admitted to our Emergency Surgery Department between 01.01.2006 - 31.12.2006 were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Among the age groups, most head injuries occurred in children (22%) and young adults (30%). The most common trauma types were due to falls (40%) and motor vehicle accidents (37%). The mortality rate in head injury patients was 11%, serious morbidity was 2%, and the rate of deaths from head injury among all deaths in 2006 was 30%.


CONCLUSIONS
According to these data, the most common causes of death in head-injured patients are falls (0-16 years of age) and outside vehicle traffic accidents and cranial gunshot wounds (16-35 years of age), especially for males. Admission Glasgow Coma Score is an important prognostic factor in head-injured patients. Primary precautions for head injury must be taken according to each age group. Further development of the diagnosis and treatment options will help to lower the mortality and morbidity of patients with traumatic brain injury.
Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
Aykut
A
Karasu
Pulat Akin
PA
Sabanci
Tufan
T
Cansever
Kemal Tanju
KT
Hepgül
Murat
M
Imer
Ilyas
I
Dolaş
Korhan
K
Taviloğlu
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality