Zachary Hothem1, Robert Simon2, Wesley Barnes3, Azmath Mohammad4, Shruti Sevak5, Kathryn Ziegler6, Anthony Iacco7, Randy Janczyk8. 1. General Surgery Resident at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA. Electronic address: Zachary.hothem@beaumont.edu. 2. General Surgery Resident at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA. Electronic address: Robert.simon@beaumont.edu. 3. General Surgery Resident at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA. Electronic address: Wesley.barnes@beaumont.edu. 4. General Surgery Resident at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA. Electronic address: Azmath.mohammad@beaumont.edu. 5. General Surgery Resident at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA. Electronic address: Shruti.sevak@beaumont.edu. 6. Department of General Surgery at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA. Electronic address: Kathryn.ziegler@beaumont.org. 7. Department of General and Trauma Surgery at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA. Electronic address: Anthony.iacco@beaumont.org. 8. Department of General and Trauma Surgery at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA. Electronic address: Randy.janczyk@beaumont.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2012, Michigan repealed its universal helmet law. Our study assessed the clinical impact of this repeal. METHODS: Our trauma database was queried retrospectively for 2 motorcycle riding seasons before and 3 seasons after repeal. On-scene death data was obtained from the Medical Examiner. RESULTS: Helmet use in hospitalized patients decreased after the helmet law repeal. Non-helmeted patients had a significant increased rate of head injury. Non-helmeted patients were more likely to die during hospitalization. While, helmet use and drugs/alcohol status significantly affected the risk for head injury, only drug/alcohol had a significant effect on overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Following helmet law repeal, helmet use has decreased. Helmet status and drug/alcohol use was found to significantly increase risk of head injury. Although overall mortality was only affected by drug/alcohol use, non-helmeted patients did have a higher inpatient mortality. These findings deserve furthermore study and may provide a basis for reinstating the universal helmet law.
BACKGROUND: In 2012, Michigan repealed its universal helmet law. Our study assessed the clinical impact of this repeal. METHODS: Our trauma database was queried retrospectively for 2 motorcycle riding seasons before and 3 seasons after repeal. On-scene death data was obtained from the Medical Examiner. RESULTS: Helmet use in hospitalized patients decreased after the helmet law repeal. Non-helmeted patients had a significant increased rate of head injury. Non-helmeted patients were more likely to die during hospitalization. While, helmet use and drugs/alcohol status significantly affected the risk for head injury, only drug/alcohol had a significant effect on overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Following helmet law repeal, helmet use has decreased. Helmet status and drug/alcohol use was found to significantly increase risk of head injury. Although overall mortality was only affected by drug/alcohol use, non-helmeted patients did have a higher inpatient mortality. These findings deserve furthermore study and may provide a basis for reinstating the universal helmet law.
Authors: Michael D Jones; Joel G Eastes; Damjan Veljanoski; Kristina M Chapple; James N Bogert; Jordan A Weinberg Journal: Trauma Surg Acute Care Open Date: 2020-11-26