J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2016 Sep;59(5):485-491. 10.3340/jkns.2016.59.5.485.

Analysis of Mortality and Epidemiology in 2617 Cases of Traumatic Brain Injury : Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System 2010–2014

• Song SY
• Lee SK
• Eom KS
• KNTDB Investigators

• KMID: 2351717
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2016.59.5.485

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aims of the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS) are to evaluate and improve treatment outcomes for brain trauma, prevent trauma, and provide data for research. Our purpose was to examine the mortality rates following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a retrospective study and to investigate the sociodemographic variables, characteristics, and causes of TBI-related death based on data from the KNTDBS.
METHODS
From 2010 to 2014, we analyzed the data of 2617 patients registered in the KNTDBS. The demographic characteristics of patients with TBI were investigated. We divided patients into 2 groups, survivors and nonsurvivors, and compared variables between the groups to investigate variables that are related to death after TBI. We also analyzed variables related to the interval between TBI and death, mortality by region, and cause of death in the nonsurvivor group.
RESULTS
The frequency of TBI in men was higher than that in women. With increasing age of the patients, the incidence of TBI also increased. Among 2617 patients, 688 patients (26.2%) underwent surgical treatment and 125 patients (4.7%) died. The age distributions of survivors vs. nonsurvivor groups and mortality rates according the severity of the brain injury, surgical treatment, and initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were statistically significantly different. Among 125 hospitalized nonsurvivors, 70 patients (56%) died within 7 days and direct brain damage was the most common cause of death (80.8%). The time interval from TBI to death differed depending on the diagnosis, surgical or nonsurgical treatment, severity of brain injury, initial GCS score, and cause of death, and this difference was statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Using the KNTDBS, we identified epidemiology, mortality, and various factors related to nonsurvival. Building on our study, we should make a conscious effort to increase the survival duration and provide rapid and adequate treatment for TBI patients.

Keyword

Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System; Mortality; Traumatic brain injury

MeSH Terms

Age Distribution
Brain
Brain Injuries*
Cause of Death
Diagnosis
Epidemiology*
Female
Glasgow Coma Scale
Humans
Incidence
Male
Mortality*
Retrospective Studies
Survivors

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Participating institutions. AJUH : Ajou University Hospital, CAUH : Chung-Ang University Hospital, CBNUH : Chungbuk National University Hospital, CNNUH1 : Chungnam National University Hospital1, CNNUH2 : Chonnam national University Hospital2, DAUH : Dong-A University Hospital, DGUH : Dongguk University Hospital, DKUH : Dankook University Hospital, DFH : Daegu Fatima Hospital, EJUH : Eulji University Hospital, GUGH : Gachon University Gill Hospital, HUHH : Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, HUKH : Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, HUPH : Hallym University Pyeongchon Sacred Heart Hospital, IHUH : Inha University Hospital, KUKH : Korea University Guro Hospital, PSNUH : Pusan National University Hospital, WKUH : Wonkwang University Hospital, WSCH : Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, YNUH : Yeungnam University Hospital. The Korean Society of Neurotraumatology collected data from 20 institutions from September 2010 to March 2014.

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  Fig. 2 Distribution of patients with traumatic brain injury according to age and sex.

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  Fig. 3 The interval from traumatic brain injury to death in nonsurvivors.

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  Fig. 4 The cause of traumatic brain injury in nonsurvivors.

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