Supplementary Material for: Changing Epidemiological Patterns in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Hospital-Based Study in Belgium

Background: Various reports have suggested that
epidemiological patterns of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are changing in
high-income countries, but the evidence to support this is often
indirect and only a few longitudinal studies exist. We aimed to explore
epidemiological patterns of TBI in Belgium over a 10-year period. Methods:
A retrospective analysis of Minimum Hospital Data provided by
Statistics Belgium was performed for the period 2003-2012. ICD-9
classification was used to identify TBI and to differentiate subtypes.
The annual incidence of hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality
rates were calculated and further differentiated for age, gender and
cause of injury. Results: The age-adjusted incidence of
hospital admissions decreased by 3.6% per year. An increase in the
number of elderly patients with TBI and a decrease in the younger age
groups were found. Falls now represent the main cause of TBI. A
mortality rate of 6.5 per 100,000 population per year was found and did
not change significantly over time. Conclusions: This
longitudinal study confirms that epidemiological patterns in TBI are
changing: overall incidence is steadily decreasing, but in elderly
patients, the incidence is increasing. Falls are the leading cause,
occurring most frequently in elderly patients. These changes are
relevant for prevention.