Geriatric Traumatic Brain Injury in China

Xianwei Zeng,Shun Pan,Zhenbo Hu

doi:10.1007/s13670-012-0018-1

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in China. The elderly population has the higher rates of TBI-related hospitalization and death. Traffic accidents are the major cause for TBI in all age groups except in the group of 75 years and older, in which stumbles occurred in nearly half of those who suffered TBI. Older age is known to negatively influence outcome after TBI. To date, investigators have identified a panel of prognostic factors that include initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, comorbidities, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, associated extracranial lesions, and other factors such as cerebral perfusion pressure on recovery after injury. However, these aspects remain understudied in elderly patients with TBI. In the absence of complete clinical data, predicting outcomes and providing good care of the elderly population with TBI remain limited. To address this significant public health issue, a refocusing of research efforts is justified to prevent TBI in this population and to develop unique care strategies for achieving better clinical outcomes of the patients with TBI.

Highlights

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently referred to as the silent epidemic because the problems that result from it, X
This review addresses the epidemiology of TBI in older adults and the factors affecting patient outcomes in China, with focus on the implications of the current state of knowledge and identifying areas for future research and clinical applications
Mechanisms of Injury In China, traffic accidents were the major cause for TBI in all age groups except for the group of 75 years and older, in which stumbles occurred in nearly half of those (44.7 %) who suffered from TBI

Summary

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently referred to as the silent epidemic because the problems that result from it, X. Hu. There is limited data to support epidemiologic transition of geriatric TBI in China during the past decade. The situation was mainly due to lack of valid data on vital statistics in China because of a lack of coherent systems for national registration of TBI. Shown that women are associated with better outcome after TBI. Further study suggested that the better improvement in women is correlated with the level of estrogen and progesterone [16, 17], which contribute to the maintenance of adequate cerebral perfusion. These hormone levels are changed dramatically following menopause in women. Further studies are needed to illustrate if the effects of these hormones are neuroprotective or coeffective with other factors, which could have implications for therapeutic intervention in clinic for TBI

Mechanisms of Injury

Chronic Health Conditions in Older Adults with TBI

TBI Outcome in Older Adults

Findings

Conclusions