Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of road traffic injuries in the conditions of a metropolis

Abstract

Background. The problem of traffic injuries remains relevant, both in peacetime and in wartime; this problem is of particular importance in the conditions of a metropolis. At the moment, there are practically no scientifically based protocols (Clinical Pathways) for the provision of medical care to the victims with road accident injuries. The main cause is the lack of clinical and epidemiological analysis data as a fundamental basis for creating protocols and clinical routes. Materials and methods. We analyzed 1,139 cases of road traffic injuries among victims in the conditions of a metropolis, they were selected by the method of irreversible randomization from an array of more than 12,000 patients. The main clinical and epidemiological signs and their correlation were studied. Particular attention was given to the sign of participation in the traffic. All results of the analysis are within the range of probability. Results. It was found that the specific weight of affected men is almost twice as high as the specific weight of women; moreover, the mortality rate among affected women is half that of men. Men predominate among active road participants (drivers and pedestrians), women — passive ones (passengers). In both gender groups, persons of working age predominate, while the dissipation of the distribution is less pronounced in women. Drivers of working age have the highest specific weight. Active road users theoretically have a lower chance of survival when injured in a road accident than passive road users. In addition, pedestrians also have the highest risk of dying as a result of a road accident. Conclusions. 1. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of road traffic injuries in the conditions of a metropolis is a rather complex component of the general characteristics of road traffic injury rate in the conditions of a metropolis as a whole. 2. The results of the analysis of gender and age characteristics of the array of victims due to road traffic accidents in the conditions of a metropolis indicate that 63.65 % of them are males aged 21–60 years, which is an important characteristic of the medical and social phenomenon of road traffic injury rate. 3. It was found that active road users (drivers and pedestrians) are injured most often, 77.53 % in total, which determines a certain risk of trauma depending on participation in the traffic. 4. The relationship was revealed between the age of victims and their participation in the traffic when forming the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of road traffic injuries in the conditions of a metropolis. 5. The influence of clinical and epidemiological characteristics, namely age, gender and participation in the traffic, on the outcome of the traumatic process in the victims was determined. In addition, the nature of this impact needs further verification. 6. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of road traffic injuries in the conditions of a metropolis require further risk-oriented assessment.