Top 5 Takeaways

  1. High Incidence in 2018: There were 223,050 nonfatal TBI-related hospitalizations in the United States in 2018.
  2. Demographic Disparities: Rates were highest among males and persons aged ≥75 years, with the rate for those aged ≥75 years being three times higher than for those aged 65–74 years.
  3. Common Causes: Unintentional falls (51.0%) and motor vehicle crashes (23.8%) were the leading causes of nonfatal TBI-related hospitalizations.
  4. Preventive Measures: Proper use of restraints (seatbelts, car seats, booster seats) and learning about individual fall risk from healthcare providers are key preventive steps.
  5. Public Health Implications: The findings can help public health officials and clinicians identify priority areas for TBI prevention programs.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Alexis B. Peterson, APeterson4@cdc.gov, 770-488-0767

Suggested Citation

Peterson AB, Thomas KE. Incidence of Nonfatal Traumatic Brain Injury–Related Hospitalizations — United States, 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1664–1668. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7048a3

Summary

In 2018, there were 223,050 nonfatal TBI-related hospitalizations in the U.S. Rates were highest among males and persons aged ≥75 years. Unintentional falls and motor vehicle crashes were the most common causes. The findings highlight the importance of preventive measures such as proper restraint use and fall risk education.

Methods

Data were analyzed from the 2018 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample. Hospitalization records with a primary diagnosis of injury and a TBI-related ICD-10-CM code were included. Rates were calculated using bridged race population estimates from the National Center for Health Statistics, and age-adjusted rates were computed using the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau standard population.

Discussion

The highest rates of nonfatal TBI-related hospitalizations were among adults aged ≥75 years and males. Unintentional falls and motor vehicle crashes were the leading causes. Older adults are particularly at risk due to underlying medical conditions and higher likelihood of falls. Males had higher rates across all mechanisms of injury, potentially due to differing biologic vulnerabilities and care-seeking behaviors.

Conclusion

Nonfatal TBI-related hospitalizations are a significant public health concern, especially among older adults and males. Preventive measures such as proper restraint use and fall risk assessments are crucial. Public health officials can use these findings to prioritize TBI prevention programs and target high-risk groups.

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