[Head injury in Buenos Aires city: a prospective, population based, epidemiologic study]

The aim of the study is to present head injury (HI) epidemiology in a population of Buenos Aires that represents almost all socioeconomic sectors.

Prospective, population based study, approved by the Ethic, Education and Research Committees as part of a neurotrauma program.

HI incidence was 322/100,000 inhabitants, of them mild HI accounted for 93%, moderate HI 4% and severe HI 3%. Average age was greater in women than in men (49 vs. 38 yo, p 0.01). Taking into account population under and over 40 years we found several differences: the relative risk (RR) for any kind of HI was 1.97 (CI 95% 1.77-2.19, p < 0.01, and the RR for motor vehicle (MV) related HI was 2.53 (CI 95% 2.03-3.17, p < 0.01). Male drivers had a higher RR (16.76 CI 95% 5.35-52.50, p < 0.01) regardless age. Assaults were also significantly higher in people under 40 yo (RR 2.11 IC 95% 1.46-3.03, p < 0.01) increased in young males. Self altitude falls were more frequent in population over 40 yo (RR 4.35 CI 95% 2.61-4.16, p < 0.01) and in women at any age (RR 3.15 CI 95% 2.57-3.87, p < 0.01). Pedestrian accidents were also more common in population over 40 yo (RR 1.84 CI 95% 1.41-2.41 p < 0.01). We did not find any other differences concerning the remaining trauma mechanisms.

HI incidence in Buenos Aires is similar to other printed series, but moderate and severe HI and mortality rates are below that ones. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading HI cause, especially in the young male population, while self altitude fall and pedestrian accidents are prevalent in women and people over 40 yo.