title: Traumatic brain injury in Qatar: age matters--insights from a 4-year observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overall traumatic brain injury (TBI) incidence and related death rates vary across different age groups. Objectives. To evaluate the incidence, causes, and outcome of TBI in adolescents and young adult population in Qatar.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective review of all TBIs admitted to the trauma center between January 2008 and December 2011. Demographics, mechanism of injury, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed in different age groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1665 patients with TBI were admitted; the majority were males (92%) with a mean age of 28 ± 16 years. The common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle crashes and falls from height (51% and 35%, resp.). TBI was incidentally higher in young adults (34%) and middle age group (21%). The most frequent injuries were contusion (40%), subarachnoid (25%), subdural (24%), and epidural hemorrhage (18%). The mortality rate was 11% among TBI patients. Mortality rates were 8% and 12% among adolescents and young adults, respectively. The highest mortality rate was observed in elderly patients (35%). Head AIS, ISS, and age were independent predictors for mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescents and adults sustain significant portions of TBI, whereas mortality is much higher in the older group. Public awareness and injury prevention campaigns should target young population.
authors: Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha 24144, Qatar.
authors: Moamena
authors: M
authors: El-Matbouly
authors: Ayman
authors: A
authors: El-Menyar
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Al-Thani
authors: Mazin
authors: M
authors: Tuma
authors: Hany
authors: H
authors: El-Hennawy
authors: Husham
authors: H
authors: AbdulRahman
authors: Ashok
authors: A
authors: Parchani
authors: Ruben
authors: R
authors: Peralta
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Asim
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: El-Faramawy
authors: Ahmad
authors: A
authors: Zarour
authors: Rifat
authors: R
authors: Latifi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011780:Qatar / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
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