Traumatic Brain Injury: The Current Scenario In Angola

Abstract

Objective: To report the current situation of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Angola using a large sample study. Methods: Medical records of patients with TBI admitted to the emergency care unit from January 2014 to December 2021 were reviewed. The inclusion criterion was adult patients with TBI. The exclusion criterion was patients with incomplete medical records and pediatric cases. Results: A total of 6,212 patients were assessed, 64.9% of whom were male, and the mean age was 21.24 years (range, 11–77 years). Road traffic accidents and physical aggression accounted for 39.8% and 33.9% of cases, respectively. These were the leading causes of TBI. Severe TBI was recorded in 48.7% of patients. Depressed skull fracture was the leading cause of skull lesions at 64%; global mortality over the study period ranged between 33% and 42%, and surgical mortality ranged from 33.1% to 42%. Conclusions: The current situation of patients with TBI in Angola is very serious, and there is an urgent need for a sizable investment in hospital equipment, intensive care unit beds, and better prehospital care.