Trends in the mortality rate from traumatic brain injury in Chile from 2002 to 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic Brain Injury is a condition caused by an external mechanical force, leading to acute symptoms and/or long-term sequelae depending on its severity. Objective: To determine the mortality rate due to Traumatic Brain Injury between 2002 and 2023 in Chile. Methodology: Quantitative research on deaths caused by traumatic brain injury between 2002 and 2023 in Chile. The data used comes from the Health Statistics and Information Department and the National Institute of Statistics. Ethical committee approval is not required. Results: There were a total of 1.345 deaths due to Traumatic Brain Injury in 2023. The year with the highest number of deaths was 2022, with 1.563 deaths. A downward trend was observed over the years. In all years studied, men had a higher risk of death than women. The most affected region was Ñuble, which had 2.9 times the national average. The lowest mortality rate was among children aged 5 to 9 years, while the highest was in individuals over 80 years of age. Discussion: The fluctuating mortality trend over time remains an issue that requires further investigation to potentially find an association with another phenomenon. Conclusion: Although Chile has made progress in recent years, there is a need to continue implementing preventive measures, especially for men and individuals in extreme age groups.