Sex differences in mortality after traumatic brain injury, Colorado 1994–1998

Abstract

Primary objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between sex and traumatic brain injury (TBI) mortality.

Methods and procedures: A total of 20 465 persons with TBI were identified from a Colorado population-based surveillance system for 1994–1998. Case fatality ratios were calculated to identify sex differences for selected risk factors. Unconditional logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between TBI mortality and sex controlling for risk factors.

Main outcomes and results: Adjusting for age, race, metropolitan residence and penetrating injury, the estimated odds of TBI mortality for males compared to females was 1.21 (95% CI 1.10, 1.34) for pre-hospital fatalities and 1.19 (95% CI 1.05, 1.37) for hospital fatalities.

Conclusion: Results indicate differences in TBI mortality comparing males and females. Future studies are warranted to identify if behaviour and physiological responses are associated with TBI outcomes among males and females.

• Traumatic brain injury
• mortality
• blunt
• penetrating