Traumatic Brain Injury Epidemiology in Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) stands out as a grave social and economic problem. Emerging countries possess few epidemiologic studies on the range and impact of TBI.


OBJECTIVE
Our study aimed to characterize the demographic, social, and economic profile of people suffering from TBI in Brazil.


METHODS
Data on TBI cases in Brazil between 2008 and 2012 were collected through the website of the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) maintained by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. This database is fed by public hospital admission authorization forms provided nationwide.


RESULTS
There were around 125,000 hospital admissions due to TBI a year, an incidence of 65.7 admissions per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Hospital mortality was 5.1/100,000/year, and the case fatality rate was 7.7%. The average annual cost of hospital expenses was US$ 70,960,000, with an average cost per admission of US$ 568. The age group 20-29, frequently admitted to the hospital due to TBI, presented the largest number of hospital deaths; however, the population >80 years of age showed the highest admission rate per age group, around 138/100,000/year, followed by the age group 70-79.


CONCLUSIONS
TBI should be recognized as an important public health problem in Brazil because it is responsible for considerable social and economic costs. Besides the young adult age group (20-29 years old), the geriatric age group is especially vulnerable to the frequent and devastating consequences of TBI. The implementation of a system of effective epidemiologic vigilance for neurotrauma is urgent in Brazil and other countries worldwide.
Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: cadu_romeu@yahoo.com.br.
Carlos Eduardo Romeu
CE
de Almeida
Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
José Lopes
JL
de Sousa Filho
Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Jules Carlos
JC
Dourado
Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Pollyana Anício Magalhães
PA
Gontijo
Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Marcos Antônio
MA
Dellaretti
Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Bruno Silva
BS
Costa
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Economics; Epidemiology; Head trauma; Prevention and control