Comparative study of pattern of head injury in a rural community hospital and a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to compare clinical patterns of head injuries in reference to the Glasgow coma scale including neurological examination and also to determine morbidity and mortality in head injury patients admitted to a nodal tertiary care hospital and a rural community hospital.Methods: This prospective study was done at the emergency department of Kasturba Hospital attached to Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences and Sushrut Hospital, Maharashtra on a total of 1000 cases during one-year study duration. The severity of the head injury was analysed using a Glasgow coma scale and outcome in terms of management and death was assessed.Results: Out of 1000 cases with head injuries, 900 cases were admitted in tertiary care hospital and 100 cases in a rural hospital. A significant difference was observed in terms of age group (p=0.01), mode of trauma (p=0.04) and symptoms (p=0.03) among the patients admitted with head injuries in both hospitals. The mortality rate was 1% and 3% in tertiary care and rural hospitals respectively.Conclusions: Head injuries are predominantly affecting the male population and most of them are due to road traffic accidents. Early assistance of medical aid and emergency room care results in good outcomes with minimal deaths.