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This study was designed to examine the descriptive epidemiology of head injuries in an urban population in the Taiwan area, Taipei City, during the period from July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1988. Clinical records reviewed included emergency room (ER) charts, inpatient charts of 19 major hospitals, death registration forms and medical examiners' reports in this city. A formulated definition was used to identify patients with head injuries. A total of 4,692 cases were collected, which included 4,319 hospital inpatients and 373 non-hospital deaths. The average incidence rate for head injury was 180/100,000 per year, 246/100,000 for males and 111/100,000 for females. The highest incidence rate was observed in the elderly group followed by the age group of 20-29 years. Sixty eight percent of the head injuries were caused by traffic accidents, 59.7 percent of which were involved in motorcycle rides. This rate was higher than those in any western reports. Among the 10-39 age group, the head injuries caused by traffic accidents were mainly due to motorcycle accidents. However, most of the children and the elderly who were injured were either pedestrians or bicycle riders. The average mortality rate was 23/100,000 per year, 34/100,000 for males and 12/100,000 for females. Initially the Glasgow Coma Scale was used in assessing the severity of head injuries. Seventy-two percent of the cases were considered mild, and 28 percent moderate to severe in degree, including 609 deaths.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An epidemiological study of head injuries in Hualien County, Taiwan, was undertaken from July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1988. Clinical records, including emergency room (ER) charts, inpatient charts from the four major hospitals and coroner or medical examiner reports in this county, were reviewed. A formulated definition was used in identifying patients with head injury. A total of 1,183 cases were identified. They included 975 hospital inpatients and 208 nonhospital deaths. The age-adjusted incidence rate for head injuries was 333/100,000 for all, 450/100,000 for males and 194/100,000 for females, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.32. The cumulative incidence rate from 0 to 69 years of age was 27.6% for males and 13.7% for females. The highest incidence rate was observed in the elderly group, whereas in other published reports the highest occurrence has been noted in the young adult group. An extraordinary 82% of the head injuries were associated with traffic accidents, 71% of which directly involved motorcycle riders. The age-adjusted mortality rate was 89/100,000 per year, 127/100,000 for males and 44/100,000 for females. The cumulative mortality rate was 8.7% for males and 3.2% for females. These are the highest rates ever reported. Sixty percent of the 1,183 patients had a moderate to severe injury or were dead. In the remaining 40%, the injury was considered mild. The elderly group presented with the highest percentage of moderate to severe degrees of injury, as well as mortality. Among traffic accident victims, those from motorcycle accidents and pedestrians had the highest percentage of severe head injuries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)