ABSTRACT
Epidemiology of MTBI The majority (70-90%) of patients with brain trauma have MTBI. (2) The overall incidence of this condition ranges 100-300/100,000,
although higher rates (600/100,000) were reported when patients were asked to report episodes of trauma-related loss of consciousness or alterations in mental status. Thus, it seems that MTBI is underestimated by only counting those who present to hospital or are admitted for treatment.(2) Indeed, in a recent paper querying veterans returning from Iraq, nearly 15% of respondents were found to have had an injury with loss of consciousness or brief alteration in mental status.(3)
Men have 1.4-2 times the risk of MTBI than women, with adolescents and young adults at the highest risk. Motor vehicle collisions and falls are the main causes of MTBI. Sports-related incidents are also common in certain age groups and in certain sports though the true incidence is again difficult to determine given the lack of data.
