Injury
-
Each year in India, road traffic crashes lead to more than 200,000 deaths and the country has seen an unprecedented rate of roadway fatalities in recent years. At the same time, alcohol consumption per capita among Indians is rising. Despite these increasing trends of road traffic injuries (RTIs) and alcohol use, alcohol is not routinely assessed as a risk factor for RTIs. This study aims to examine the involvement of alcohol among emergency department patients presenting with RTIs in the Indian city of Hyderabad. ⋯ Given that alcohol was suspected or reported in more than one in six injured ED patients with RTIs, it is clear that alcohol is a serious risk factor for RTIs; this evidence can guide prevention efforts. These findings suggest that evidence-based interventions to reduce drink-driving, such as random breath testing (where law enforcement officials stop drivers on the road to test them for alcohol use), could be more widespread in India. Future studies should assess the effectiveness of greater implementation and enforcement of policies to decrease alcohol's availability to reduce RTIs.
-
In a combat environment, major vascular trauma endures as the leading cause of death. The Dutch role 2 Medical Treatment Facility (MTF), provided supportive care during the mission in Uruzgan, Afghanistan. Aim of this study was to conduct detailed analysis of the admitted major haemorrhages (vascular injuries) and to compare our findings with NATO coalition partners. ⋯ Level IV--Epidemiologic study.
-
Most data regarding high blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) ≥400 mg/dL have been from alcohol poisoning deaths. Few studies have described this group and reported their alcohol consumption patterns or outcomes compared to other trauma patients. We hypothesised trauma patients with very high BACs arrived to the trauma centre with less severe injuries than their sober counterparts. ⋯ Most traumas admitted with BAC ≥400 mg/dL survived and their injuries were less severe than their less intoxicated and sober counterparts. They also had evidence for risky alcohol use and nearly one-quarter returned to the trauma centre with another injury over the study period. Recognition of this highest BAC group presents an opportunity to provide focused care for their risky alcohol use.
-
Falls are an increasingly common source of severe traumatic injury. They now account for approximately 40% of both overall trauma volumes and injury-related deaths within Canada. In northern climates, the risk of all types of falls may increase during the fall/winter months when conditions become increasingly dangerous. The purpose of this study was to define the injury and patient demographics of severe trauma that occurs during falls associated with the installation of Christmas lights. ⋯ Falls while installing Christmas lights during the fall/winter seasons can result in severe life-altering injuries with considerable morbidity and mortality. Caution should be employed when installing lights at any height.
-
When stress fractures started to show up in the femurs of elderly ladies, it was soon evident that bisphosphonate use lay behind, and the absolute risk increase due to bisphosphonate use was reasonably well estimated already in 2008. Thereafter followed a period of confusion: the term atypical fracture was introduced, with a definition so vague that the true stress fractures tended to disappear in a cloud of ambiguity. This cast doubt on the association with bisphosphonates. ⋯ Atypical fractures are largely caused by bisphosphonates. With a correct indication, bisphosphonates prevent many more fractures than they cause, at least during the first years of use. With an incorrect indication they are likely to cause more harm than good.