Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #121663

Tracey Serpi, MS, Office of Injury Prevention and Health Assessment, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 West Preston Street, Room 302, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-5056, serpit@dhmh.state.md.us and Melissa McCarthy, ScD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Suite 6-111, 1830 East Monument Street, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common injury in the United States. The occurrence of a repeat TBI remains understudied in the literature, especially among those with less severe brain injuries. This study will examine the incidence and risk factors for patients who suffer a repeat visit for TBI and describe the barriers in conducting this type of study.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the epidemiology of repeat TBI emergency department (ED) and hospital visits in Maryland using statewide, hospital and ED billing data. The cohort included all patients who had a TBI-related ED visit or hospital admission between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2000. From the entire cohort, those who have multiple TBI-related visits within a one-year period were identified and risk factors associated with repeat TBI visits were examined.

Results: There were 52,343 hospital and ED visits for TBI in Maryland during 2000 and 2001. Of these, 973 subjects had more than one TBI visit and 20,889 subjects had a single TBI visit. Risk factors for a repeat ED visit/hospitalization included younger age, male gender, > 21 days between visits and assaults. Barriers to this type of study include problems with E-coding and diagnostic coding of TBIs in the ED.

Discussion: This study estimated the risk of a repeat TBI/hospitalization within a one-year period for patients who sustain a TBI severe enough to warrant an ED visit or hospitalization.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the epidemiology of repeat TBI in Maryland
• Identify risk factors associated with repeat TBI
• Discuss the barriers to performing this type of study

Keywords: Traumatic Brain Injury,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.