Epidemiology and 12-month outcomes from traumatic brain injury in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An epidemiologic profile of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Australia and New Zealand was obtained following the publication of international evidence-based guidelines. METHODS: Adult patients with TBI admitted to the intensive care units (ICU) of major trauma centers were studied in a 6-month prospective inception cohort study. Data including mechanisms of injury, prehospital interventions, secondary insults, operative and intensive care management, and outcome assessments 12-months postinjury were collected. RESULTS: There were 635 patients recruited from 16 centers. The mean (±SD) age was 41.6 years ± 19.6 years; 74.2% were men; 61.4% were due to vehicular trauma, 24.9% were f..