Chest injury among young population in Qatar

Abstract

Background: Traumatic chest injury (TCI) constitutes quarter of trauma-related deaths worldwide. Objective: To identify the pattern and outcome of TCI in Qatar in relation to age. Methods: Data were collected from all patients who sustained TCI between January 2008 and December 2010 in Qatar. Patients were classified and analyzed in 3 age groups (group 1 <18, group 2 between 18 and 45 and group 3 above 45 years). The multivariate regression analysis was performed for the predictors of mortality. Results: Of 5118 cases admitted to the section of trauma, 1355 (26.5%) had TCI (10%, 71% and 19% in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively). Children (<18 years) had more traffic-related injury, intubation (42%), high ISS (25%), head injury (44.3%), and liver injury (16%) in comparison to other groups. The overall mortality rate was 13% (28.5 %, 11.3% and 12% in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively). Traffic-related death was 13% while fall-related death was 7%. In comparison to survival, no survival was associated with higher rate of head injury (73% vs 33%), intubation (81% vs 19%) and high ISS (64% vs 14%), P=0.001. Independent predictors for mortality included age (OR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97-0.99) ISS (OR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.07) and intubation (OR 9.5; 95% CI: 6.09-14.29). Conclusion: TCI is an alarming problem in Qatar with a high mortality. Young males are the most exposed population that deserves more emphasis on injury prevention. Regulatory efforts by the government at working sites and in the strict enforcement of traffic laws would likely reduce morbidity and mortality.