Validity of injury data collected by interview: a study of men born in 1913 and 1923

An investigation of the validity of anamnestic injury data with special reference to head injuries, was performed, as part of an epidemiological population study of middle aged men. Injury data collected by interview were checked against control data from an emergency department, covering a 7-year period. About 65% of head injuries in the control data set, and 60% of all types of injuries were reported. Injury severity, alcohol intoxication, ambulance transportation and recall period were factors which tended to influence the reporting frequency.