THE CLINICAL AND INJURY-RELATED CHARACTERISTICS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PATIENTS ADMITTED TO INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Abstract

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) results from external trauma to the head, causing cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments varying in severity from brief mental changes to prolonged unconsciousness or coma. TBI is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, affecting both developed and developing nations. Objectives: To identify the risk factors and severity of Traumatic Brain Injury patients admitted to ICUs. Methods: The study was conducted in three tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, including Lady Reading Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex, and Khyber Teaching Hospital, over a period of six months (July–December 2023). Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from ICU-admitted TBI patients aged ≥14 years with GCS scores of 3–12, and excluding pediatric patients, GCS 13–15, and a history of epilepsy or mental disorders. A standardized checklist recorded demographic and clinical information was used. Data collection focused on identifying TBI risk factors and outcomes. Results: A total of 60 traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were included in the study. The majority of patients were male (73.3%) and belonged to the 26–35 years age group (36.7%). Road traffic accidents (65.0%) were the most common cause of TBI, followed by falls (20.0%). Most patients had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3–8 (88.3%), and 85.0% were classified as having severe TBI. Regarding outcomes, 40.0% of patients were discharged, 35.0% remained admitted, 18.3% died, and 6.7% were referred. Additionally, 90.0% of patients had skull fractures, and 91.7% experienced loss of consciousness. Conclusion: RTA is the leading cause of TBI, predominantly in males, due to cultural norms. Falls and blasts follow as major causes. TBI incidence is higher in non-work-related cases and among individuals not using protective gear.

Keywords: Risk factors, Traumatic brain injury, Intensive care unit, Admission, Fall, Road traffic accident.