Sola Kim1, Young Sun Ro2, Sang Do Shin1, Kyoung Jun Song1, Ki Jeong Hong3, Joo Jeong4. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Emergency Medical Services, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Laboratory of Emergency Medical Services, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: chair1@snu.ac.kr. 3. Laboratory of Emergency Medical Services, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Laboratory of Emergency Medical Services, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Road traffic injuries caused by motorcycle crashes are one of the major public health burdens leading to high mortality, functional disability, and high medical costs. The helmet is crucial protective equipment for motorcyclists. This study aimed to measure the protective effect of motorcycle helmets on clinical outcomes and to compare the effects of high- and low-speed motorcycle crashes. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a nationwide registry of severe trauma patients treated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers in Korea. The study population consisted of severe trauma patients injured in motorcycle crashes between January and December 2013. The primary and secondary outcomes were intracranial injury and in-hospital mortality. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of helmet use and motorcycle speeds for study outcomes after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 495 eligible patients, 105 (21.2%) patients were wearing helmets at the time of the crash, and 256 (51.7%) patients had intracranial injuries. The helmeted group was less likely to have an intracranial injury compared with the un-helmeted group (41.0% vs. 54.6%, AOR: 0.53 (0.33-0.84)). However, there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the two groups (16.2% vs. 16.9%, AOR: 0.91 (0.49-1.69)). In the interaction analysis, there was a significant preventive effect of motorcycle helmet use on intracranial injury when the speed of the motorcycle was <30km/h (AOR: 0.50 (0.27-0.91)). CONCLUSION: Wearing helmets for severe trauma patients in motorcycle crashes reduced intracranial injuries. The preventive effect on intracranial injury was significant in low-speed motorcycle crashes.
INTRODUCTION: Road traffic injuries caused by motorcycle crashes are one of the major public health burdens leading to high mortality, functional disability, and high medical costs. The helmet is crucial protective equipment for motorcyclists. This study aimed to measure the protective effect of motorcycle helmets on clinical outcomes and to compare the effects of high- and low-speed motorcycle crashes. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a nationwide registry of severe traumapatients treated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers in Korea. The study population consisted of severe traumapatients injured in motorcycle crashes between January and December 2013. The primary and secondary outcomes were intracranial injury and in-hospital mortality. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of helmet use and motorcycle speeds for study outcomes after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 495 eligible patients, 105 (21.2%) patients were wearing helmets at the time of the crash, and 256 (51.7%) patients had intracranial injuries. The helmeted group was less likely to have an intracranial injury compared with the un-helmeted group (41.0% vs. 54.6%, AOR: 0.53 (0.33-0.84)). However, there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the two groups (16.2% vs. 16.9%, AOR: 0.91 (0.49-1.69)). In the interaction analysis, there was a significant preventive effect of motorcycle helmet use on intracranial injury when the speed of the motorcycle was <30km/h (AOR: 0.50 (0.27-0.91)). CONCLUSION: Wearing helmets for severe traumapatients in motorcycle crashes reduced intracranial injuries. The preventive effect on intracranial injury was significant in low-speed motorcycle crashes.
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