National Trauma Registries in LMICs: Long-Overdue Priority Comment on “Neurotrauma Surveillance in National Registries of Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review and Comparative Analysis of Data Dictionaries”

Abstract

The burden of trauma-related mortality is inversely related to income on an individual and national scale. Barthélemy et al highlight the significant variation of neurotrauma data included in national injury registries of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) when compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) minimal dataset for injury (MDI). Moreover, the authors emphasize that the non-existence and underutilization of nationally standardized trauma registries hinder the data-driven identification of factors contributing to neurotrauma and subsequent attempts to improve neurotrauma care. Establishing a nationally standardized trauma registry should be prioritized by all stakeholders involved in curbing trauma-related mortality and building research capacity in LMICs. In this commentary, previous successful efforts to establish and maintain robust registries in LMICs through local and international partnerships are highlighted. The lessons and challenges chronicled in establishing such registries can inform future efforts to implement a nationally standardized trauma registry.