Traumatic brain injury in Kashan during 2004-2005

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death in traumatic injuries. The aim of this prospective study was to estimate the incidence of hospitally-treated TBI and to describe the severity of brain injuries and related outcome among such patients. Data was collected from all hospitalized cases of head traumas in Kashan hospitals during a 2-year period (2004-2005). The initial severity of TBI was measured by the Glasgow Coma Scale. Age, gender, initial neurological state, lesions on computed tomographic scan mechanisms of injury and the subsequent outcome were recorded. During a 24-month study, a number of�4290 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 27.8 ±19.14 years and male to female ratio 3:1. The highest incidence of TBI was found in 20-29 years range (27.7%). The annual incidence of TBI was 429/100,000. Vehicle accidents (69.7%), falls (21.3%), and assaults (5%) were among the leading causes of TBI. Motorcycle accidents were the main cause of TBI among vehicle accidents (64.5%). Regarding the severity, 3962 cases (92.7%) were considered mild, 108 (2.5%) moderate, and 205 (4.8%) severe. Death occurred in only 148 (3.4%) cases. Our data suggest that the incidence of TBI in Kashan was higher and the age range of casualties was lower than other studies. In this study vehicle accidents were responsible for the majority of TBI. These findings can be used to develop prevention-directed programs in Kashan.