Medical Student University of Illinois, Chicago Chicago, Illinois, United States
Introduction: Sports-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are amongst the most common injuries for athletes, causing a wide spectrum of short and long-term disabilities. In this study, we sought to characterize the incidence of sports-related TBI over the last two decades to aid in the prevention and management of such injuries.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 2002 to 2021 was conducted. The number of TBIs treated in the emergency department resulting from football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, and exercise were recorded and the estimated annual incidence rates per 100,000 population based on US Census data were calculated. Injuries were also characterized based on patient demographics and disposition status.
Results: A total of 1,292,674 estimated patients from 2002 to 2021 were identified. Sports-related injuries constituted 8.21% of all TBIs in 2002, decreasing to 4.16% in 2021. 80.4% of injuries were sustained by males in 2022 compared to 73.97% in 2021.The average age of patients 17.78 and 24.54 in 2002 and 2021, respectively. Injuries sustained while playing football remained the most common type with a slight increase in incidence over 20 years. These injuries also showed the greatest variance, peaking in 2012 with a sharp decline in 2020 and subsequent rebound in 2021. Exercise related injuries saw the most drastic increase, going up 448.59%. Incidences of injuries associated with hockey, baseball, and basketball all declined over 20 years.
Conclusion : Injuries sustained while playing football remained the most frequent type of TBI across all 20 years. Rates of incidence of football, exercise, soccer, tennis, and lacrosse associated injuries increased since 2002 while hockey, baseball, and basketball related injuries declined. This knowledge can help increase safety measures and guide preventative strategies aimed at decreasing such injuries.
