title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kyrre
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Madelen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fahlstedt
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacobsson
authors.forename: Svein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kleiven
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: von Holst
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult