Danielle Herbert Blazewick1, Thitphalak Chounthirath2, Nichole L Hodges3, Christy L Collins4, Gary A Smith5. 1. Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States. 2. Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States. 3. Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States; The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States. 4. Datalys Center for Sports Injury and Prevention, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, United States. 5. Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States; The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States; Child Injury Prevention Alliance, Columbus, OH, United States. Electronic address: gary.smith@nationwidechildrens.org.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of stair-related injuries among individuals of all ages and estimate national injury frequencies and rates using a representative sample of patients treated in United States emergency departments. METHODS: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System were analyzed for patients treated for stair-related injuries in United States emergency departments from 1990 through 2012. RESULTS: An estimated 24,760,843 patients were treated in emergency departments for a stair-related injury during the 23-year study period, averaging 1,076,558 patients annually, or 37.8 injuries per 10,000 United States residents. The annual rate of stair-related injuries decreased by 12.6% (p<0.001) during 1990-1996, followed by an increase of 24.0% (p<0.001) during 1996-2012. Although the highest injury rates occurred among younger children and older adults, the majority (67.2%) of emergency department visits for stair-related injuries was by individuals 11-60years old. Most patients were female (62.4%), who also had a higher injury rate (46.5 vs. 29.1 per 10,000) than males. Sprains and strains (32.3%), soft tissue injuries (23.8%), and fractures (19.3%) were the most common types of injury. The body regions most frequently injured were the lower extremities (42.1%) and head/neck (21.6%). Patients ≤10years old experienced more head/neck injuries. Older adult patients more frequently sustained fractures than younger age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stairs are a common source of injury among individuals of all ages and the frequency and rate of stair-related injuries are increasing. This underscores the need for increased prevention efforts, particularly those related to stair design and construction.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of stair-related injuries among individuals of all ages and estimate national injury frequencies and rates using a representative sample of patients treated in United States emergency departments. METHODS: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System were analyzed for patients treated for stair-related injuries in United States emergency departments from 1990 through 2012. RESULTS: An estimated 24,760,843 patients were treated in emergency departments for a stair-related injury during the 23-year study period, averaging 1,076,558 patients annually, or 37.8 injuries per 10,000 United States residents. The annual rate of stair-related injuries decreased by 12.6% (p<0.001) during 1990-1996, followed by an increase of 24.0% (p<0.001) during 1996-2012. Although the highest injury rates occurred among younger children and older adults, the majority (67.2%) of emergency department visits for stair-related injuries was by individuals 11-60years old. Most patients were female (62.4%), who also had a higher injury rate (46.5 vs. 29.1 per 10,000) than males. Sprains and strains (32.3%), soft tissue injuries (23.8%), and fractures (19.3%) were the most common types of injury. The body regions most frequently injured were the lower extremities (42.1%) and head/neck (21.6%). Patients ≤10years old experienced more head/neck injuries. Older adult patients more frequently sustained fractures than younger age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stairs are a common source of injury among individuals of all ages and the frequency and rate of stair-related injuries are increasing. This underscores the need for increased prevention efforts, particularly those related to stair design and construction.
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