Epidemiology and sequelae of head injury in San Marino Republic

A study of head injuried patients was carried out in the smallest nation in the world (Republic of San Marino) from January 1981 to December 1982. The results show an epidemiological incidence of 468 cases/10(5) population/year in regards to Hospital admissions, whereas the cases are 694/10(5) population/year when taking into account also patients seen only by Accident and Emergency Department. The consequences of the head injury (Post Traumatic Syndrome, PTS) were studied in 187 patients having comparable features on admission and discharge, and being all residents of the Republic of San Marino. Factors significant in determining a PTS seem to be a history of previous head injuries, the presence of previous neuropsychiatric disturbances and an abnormal E.E.G. on admission. The time of onset of the syndrome, associated with the above mentioned factors, can be important in determining whether the PTS is of neurotic or organic origin.