Risk Factors Affecting Severity of Injury in Patients of Motor Cycle Accidents

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine risk factors that influence the severity of injury in motor cycle accidents. METHODS: Hospital trauma registry data of all patients treated for motor cycle injuries at Wonju Christian Hospital from July 2008 to December 2009 were analyzed. Analyses included injury site, injury mechanism, alcohol intake, status of self protection, underlying diseases, weather at the time of injury, time of injury, and injury severity (injury severity score=ISS, revised trauma score=RTS). The risk factors between patients whose injuries were severe (ISS> or =16) and non-severe were compared. RESULTS: The records of 344 patients (mean age 44.3+/-22.2 years, 306 males and 38 females) were analyzed. The rate of protection was higher in 293 non-severely injured patients (ISS=5.1+/-3.9) than in the 51 severely-injured patients (ISS=21.9+/-5.9) (49.8% vs 31.4% p=0.015). The rate of alcohol ingestion was lower in non-severely injured patients (22.5%) than in the severely-injured patients (37.3%), (p=0.024). But there were no significant differences in age, gender, injury site, and underlying diseases in both groups. The most common cause of death was brain injury. CONCLUSION: Risk factors influencing the severity of motor cycle-related injury were protection (helmet) rate and alcohol ingestion.