Long-term mortality trends in patients with traumatic brain injury

Comparison of long-term mortality rates between patients with traumatic bra in injury (TBI) and the general population has not been adequately investig ated. This project aimed to obtain information on the long-term mortality r ate of patients with TBI. Using a rehabilitation database of a major teachi ng hospital, the search identified 476 patients, of whom 27 were deceased. This mortality rate (5.7%) was compared with the expected mortality rate fo r an equivalent population without TBI (1.5%) using Australian Life Table d ata. It was found chat patients with TBI had a significantly higher mortali ty rate than the general population (chi(2) = 12.2, p < 0.001). Possible re asons for this finding are discussed.