Lifetime prevalence of traumatic brain injury in a demographically diverse community sample.

Background: Although incidence rates are well documented for traumatic brain injury, lifetime prevalence in a demographically diverse sample is unknown. We examined the prevalence of self-reported traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a demographically diverse sample.

Methods: History of TBI was examined in 2881 African-Americans and Whites in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study-a community-based, epidemiological investigation of urban-dwelling adults. Logistic regression analyses examined the odds of TBI as a function of sex, race, poverty status, age quintile and their interactions.

Results: A significant 3-way interaction was noted amongst race, poverty status and age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.31, p = 0.021). Amongst Whites living in poverty, younger (30-36 years of age) individuals had greater odds of TBI than older (58-64 years of age) individuals, whereas older African-Americans living in poverty had greater odds of TBI. Additionally, a main effect of sex (OR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.85-3.03, p < 0.001) indicated that men had greater odds of TBI.

Conclusions: History of TBI is most prevalent in men, older African-Americans in poverty, and younger Whites in poverty. Preventive measures targeting relevant TBI risk factors in these populations are warranted.