Intentional Traumatic Brain Injury: Causes, Risk Factors, and Injury Severity
Categories: Violence-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
What are the risk factors, causes, and injury severity levels associated with intentional traumatic brain injuries?
Past Studies
Past Studies indicate violent intentional injury and death rates are rising in the United States. In civilians, the majority of gunshot wounds to the brain are lethal. Persons determined most likely to receive intentional brain injuries have been male,
This Study
This Study examined 2,637 adults who were admitted to a hospital in a metropolitan area for traumatic brain injury during a five year period. Intentional injuries were categorized as penetrating or blunt. Data
An intentional source of traumatic brain injury was reported in 17.8% of all cases. Persons with intentional injuries were found to be males, minorities, of lower income, and less than 50 years of age. Persons who used drugs and alcohol were twice as likely to have experienced an intentional traumatic brain injury. Firearms and blunt objects were the most common types of weapons used that caused intentional traumatic brain injuries.
Who May Be Affected By These Findings
Persons identified as being at risk for intentional brain injury, persons with intentional brain injury and their families, providers, researchers, and advocates.
Caveats
Although drug or alcohol use was found to be a predictor of intentional traumatic brain injury, the authors note that a number of people in this study were not tested. Additionally, drug and alcohol tests were not conducted randomly. Future studies with consistent testing measures may provide more accurate data.
Bottom Line
Persons at risk for intentional traumatic brain injuries were found to be male, minorities, young, and have lower incomes. The most likely causes of intentional traumatic brain injury were penetrating brain injury from
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Find This Study
Wagner, A. K.; Sasser, H. C.; Hammond, F. C.; Wiercisiewski, D.; & Alexander, J. (2000). Intentional traumatic brain injury: Epidemiology, risk factors, and associations with injury severity and mortality. The Journal of Trauma Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, (49), 404-410.