Epidemiology, morbidity and mortality from fall-related injuries in the United Arab Emirates

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine

Fikri M Abu-Zidan¹  Hani O Eid¹  Michal Grivna² 

[1] Trauma Group, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates;Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

关键词: United Arab Emirates;    Prevention;    Injury;    Elderly;    Falls;   

Others  :  1152072
DOI  :  10.1186/s13049-014-0051-5

 received in 2014-05-22, accepted in 2014-08-21,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Unintentional falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality with a significant burden on victims, families, and societies. We aimed to study the mechanism, risk factors, and outcome of hospitalized patients with fall-related injuries in order to propose preventive measures.

Methods

Fall-related injured patients who were admitted to Al Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for more than 24 hours or who died after arrival to the hospital, were studied over 3 years. Demography, location and time of injury, affected body regions, hospital and ICU stay, and outcome were analyzed.

Results

882 patients were studied, 82% were males, and 22% were less than 19 years old. Majority were from the Indian subcontinent. The most common location for fall injuries was work. Patients injured at work were older and mainly non-UAE nationals (p?

Conclusions

Falls are a major health problem in the UAE. Falls at work can be prevented by safety education tailored to different ethnic groups, and proper legislation and regulation. Environmental modification using evidence-based architectural design may prevent falls among vulnerable risk groups.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Grivna et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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