NEW DELHI: A study conducted at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, has revealed that over 70% of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in India result from two-wheeler accidents, with less than 1% of affected patients wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
The study, which analyzed patient data over six and a half years (March 2013–September 2019), was published on Friday. The findings are critical, given that 77,539 two-wheeler occupants died in road crashes in 2023, making up nearly 45% of all road fatalities in India.
Key Findings of the Study
- A total of 3,172 TBI patients were analyzed, of whom 84% were male.
- 71% (2,259 cases) of TBIs were due to two-wheeler crashes.
- Only 13 patients (0.6%) were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
- Around one-third of patients had consumed alcohol before the crash.
- Other causes of TBI included falls (307 cases), pedestrian-vehicle accidents (278), and four-wheeler crashes (163).
Hospitalization and Mortality Rates
- The median time from injury to hospital arrival was three hours, with 1,093 patients transferred from other hospitals.
- 37% suffered mild injuries, 33% had moderate injuries, and 30% (968 patients) had severe injuries.
- Inpatient deaths were recorded at 5% (174 cases), while overall mortality reached 17% (540 deaths) within 3–9 months.
- Among inpatient deaths, 82 patients died within two days, 108 within four days, and 147 within eight days.
- Only 4% of patients had health insurance, while 31% struggled to cover hospital expenses.
- The average hospital expenditure was ₹35,850, while the average patient expenditure stood at ₹28,900.
Recommendations for Prevention
The report emphasized that a large proportion of TBIs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) could be prevented or minimized through stronger road safety policies and improved access to pre-hospital care. Researchers also highlighted the need for better prognostic models to predict post-hospital mortality among TBI patients.
