Age-related trends in intracranial injury outcomes.

Background: Age is an important prognostic indicator of outcomes following traumatic brain injuries. This study examines how outcomes for traumatic brain injuries in the acute care setting have changed during a recent 10-year period.

Methods: Population-level data broken down by age group was obtained from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Web site for the years 2000 to 2009. Linear regression was used to determine trends in age-specific discharge volume, mortality rate, discharge disposition, and cost. Population and cost estimates were adjusted using census data and consumer price index.

Results: It was found that discharges for intracranial injuries have been increasing, with the most marked increase in the population older than 65 years, which cannot be accounted for by population age distribution changes. There were overall improvements in outcomes including decreased in-hospital mortality rates for all age groups and increased home discharges for those 18 to 44 years and older than 85 years. This came at an average annual cost increase of $1,071 dollars per patient.

Conclusion: Acute care outcomes for intracranial injuries have been improving at a cost of $1,071 per patient per year.

Level Of Evidence: Economic and decision analysis, level IV.