To analyze the epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) inpatients in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, with the aim of providing feasible recommendations for enhancing the treatment of TBI patients in this region.

Clinical data of TBI inpatients from 29 hospitals of different levels in Xinjiang in 2021 were retrospectively collected. Epidemiological data included demographic distribution, time of injury, cause and location of injury, severity and type of injury, extracranial concomitant injuries, treatment modalities, and prognosis.

A total of 3174 TBI patients were included, with 2281 males (71.87%) and 893 females (28.13%). Middle-aged adults (31-60 years, 1690) constituted the majority, and farmers were the largest occupational group [1215 (38.28%)]. TBI incidence showed clear seasonal variation, peaking in January with a secondary increase from May to July. Ground-level falls (37.52%) and road-traffic injuries (36.11%) were the leading causes; fall-related TBIs were predominantly mild (75.24%), whereas road-traffic injuries and high-level falls more frequently resulted in moderate-to-severe TBI. The most common CT findings were brain contusion/laceration (44.11%), traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (42.66%), and skull fractures (41.08%). Extracranial injuries occurred in 53.88% of patients, mainly involving the head and face. Surgical intervention was performed on 19.34% of patients, with intracranial hematoma evacuation combined with decompressive craniectomy being the most common procedure (38.93%). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 4.44%, with severe TBI showing a markedly higher mortality rate of 82.27%, representing the main source of deaths.

TBI in Xinjiang is mainly affected by male, middle-aged and young people, and farmers, with a high incidence in January. It is necessary to raise public awareness of fall prevention. The proportion of injuries at admission and overall prognosis reflect that the autonomous region's ability to treat severe TBI needs to be improved, and the standardization of diagnosis and treatment processes should be strengthened.