Injuries following motorcycle crashes at a level-1 trauma center in Riyadh

• Published in: Annals of Saudi medicine Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 185 - 191
• Main Authors: Alghnam, Suliman, Alsulaim, Hatim A, BinMuneif, Yasser Abdullah, Al-Zamil, Abdulmohsen, Alahmari, Abdullah, Alshafi, Abdullah, Alsaif, Ahmad, Albabtain, Ibrahim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saudi Arabia KING FAISAL SPECIALIST HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE 01.05.2019; King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amputation - statistics & numerical data; Child; Child, Preschool; Craniocerebral Trauma - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Injuries; Male; Middle Aged; Motorcycles; Original; Retrospective Studies; Saudi Arabia - epidemiology; Trauma; Trauma Centers; Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology; Wounds and Injuries - mortality; Young Adult; Saudi Arabia; Riyadh Saudi Arabia
• ISSN: 0256-4947; 0975-4466
• DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2019.185

Motor vehicle crashes are the third leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. Motorcycle riders, in particular, are considered more vulnerable than occupants, yet there are no previous studies that have examined the epidemiology of their injuries and outcomes in the country. Better understanding is needed to inform policymakers and guide future prevention programs. Describe patterns of injury among conscious and unconscious patients injured in motorcycle crashes. Retrospective chart review. Level 1 trauma center in Riyadh. This retrospective study included all patients involved in motorcycle crashes who were admitted between 2001 and 2017. Medical records were reviewed, and data about injury characteristics, outcomes and healthcare utilization were ascertained. Injury site and mortality rate. 572 patients included 488 males (85.3%) and 232 <18 years of age (40.5%), mean (SD) age 21.1 (11.6) years. About 3% of patients died either before or after admission. Extremity injuries (356, 62.2%) were most common followed by head injuries (229, 40%). Fifty-six (9%) suffered amputation, mostly to a lower limb. This study underscores the significant burden of motorcycle-related injuries on population health of Saudi Arabia. The number of amputations due to motorcycle injuries is striking. Therefore, we need to increase enforcement of safety measures during recreational use of motorcycles and to raise awareness about the dangers of motorcycle crashes to improve traffic safety and ultimately population health. The study was conducted at a single hospital which may affect the generalizability of the data to the Saudi population. None.