Epidemiologic Study of Trauma Patients Admitted to a Level 1 Trauma Center in Shiraz: One Year Survey

Background: Traumatic injuries exert significant burden on human populations around the world. Iran as a developing country is at top 5 deadliest countries regarding injuries; however, few studies have examined the descriptive epidemiology of trauma in Iran. Objectives: To describe injuries regarding age, gender and injury mechanism and also time trend in emergency departments of Shahid Rajaee Trauma Center affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Patients and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on all trauma patients (n = 21542) admitted to Shahid Rajaee Trauma Hospital (level I trauma referral center in Shiraz) between March 2011 and March 2012. Data were analyzed separately by age, gender, month of admission, and injury mechanisms (motorcycle collision, car-pedestrian accidents, car-car accidents, fall from height, stab wounds and gunshot injuries). Results: With a mean age of 36.0 ± 17.2 years, a total number of 21542 patients were visited, 16524 (76.7%) of whom were male. The male to female ratio was 3.3:1 with injured men being significantly younger than women (mean age 33.7 + 16.6 and 43.6 ± 19.2 years, respectively). There were 1492 trauma victims older than 60 years accounting for the smallest proportion of the population (6.92%). On admission, 1699 patients (7.9%) required cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) with a sex ratio of 2:1. Among those requiring CPCR, falling down was the major cause (45.24%) of injury in elderly (patients over 60 year) and car accident in those under 60 year (43.94%). Conclusions: Injuries affect all age groups; however, the disproportionately at risk population is the productive youth. Preventive strategies should focus on reducing trauma incidence among young men at population level. Considering the higher number of incidents occurring in mid spring and late summer, authorities should devise preventive plans mainly through alteration of traffic rules in this period.