Mild traumatic brain injury in the United States, 1998–2000

Abstract

Primary objective: To determine the incidence and epidemiology of emergency department (ED)-attended mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in the US. Research design: Secondary analysis of ED visits for mTBI in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 1998–2000. Methods and procedures: MTBI defined by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for ‘skull fracture’, ‘concussion’, ‘intracranial injury of unspecified nature’ and ‘head injury, unspecified’. Main outcome and results: The average incidence of mTBI was 503.1/100 000, with peaks among males (590/100 000), American Indians/Alaska Natives (1,026/100 000) and those Conclusions: The national burden of mTBI is significant and the incidence higher than that reported by others. Possible explanations are discussed. Bicycle and sports-related injuries are an important and highly preventable cause of mTBI underscoring the need to promote prevention programmes on a national level.