Long-term impact of the 2008 economic crisis in Spain on road traffic collisions mortality by socioeconomic position

We aimed to assess the effect of the 2008 crisis on road traffic collision (RTC) mortality in Spain, by socioeconomic position (SEP) and type of road use. This prospective, country-wide study covered all adults living in Spain and aged ≥30 years in November 2001. The long-term effect of the crisis was assessed by measuring the monthly percentage change (MPC) in RTC mortality between the pre-crisis (2002–2007) and crisis period (2008–2011). During the recession, RTC mortality fell more in people with low compared to high SEP, so MPCs difference between periods were of a higher magnitude in the low compared to high SEP groups, especially among men motorcyclists. RTC mortality trends were favorable following the 2008 crisis, particularly among low-SEP groups. In men motorcyclists, the upward trend of the pre-crisis period reversed course.     

Favorable Outcomes for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disproportionately impacts minority racial groups. However, limited information exists on TBI outcomes among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI). All patients with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <9) who were hospitalized at the state-designated trauma center in Hawai‘i from March 2006 to February 2011 were studied. The primary outcome measure was discharge Glasgow Outcome Scale ([GOS]: 1, death; 2, vegetative state; 3, severe disability; 4, moderate disability; 5, good recovery), which was dichotomized to unfavorable (GOS 1–2) and favorable (GOS 3–5). Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors predictive of discharge functional outcome. A total of 181 patients with severe TBI (NHPI 27%, Asians 25%, Whites 30%, and others 17%) were studied. NHPI had a higher prevalence of assault-related TBI (25% vs 6.5%, P = .046), higher prevalence of chronic drug abuse (20% vs 4%, P = .02) and chronic alcohol abuse (22% vs 2%, P = .003), and longer intensive care unit length of stay (15±10 days vs 11±9 days, P < .05) compared to Asians. NHPI had lower prevalence of unfavorable functional outcomes compared to Asians (33% vs 61%, P = .006) and Whites (33% vs 56%, P = .02). Logistic regression analyses showed that Asian race (OR, 6.41; 95% CI, 1.68–24.50) and White race (OR, 4.32; 95% CI, 1.27–14.62) are independently associated with unfavorable outcome compared to NHPI. Contrary to the hypothesis, NHPI with severe TBI have better discharge functional outcomes compared to other major racial groups.     

A cluster analysis of road traffic-related childhood knee injuries

BACKGROUND: Knee injuries represent an important category of road traffic injuries among children, and they are heterogeneous in their aetiology. The aims of this study were to estimate the incidence of road traffic childhood knee injuries in Greece by age and gender, point out their time, place and person co-ordinates and identify clusters with distinct characteristics with a view to potential preventive interventions. METHODS: During a 3-year period, 305 children with knee injuries resulting from a road traffic accident were identified among the 66,870 children with injuries recorded in the Emergency Department Injury Surveillance System (EDISS) of Greece. Using previously derived sampling ratios and national data on childhood population, incidence data by age and gender were estimated. Hierarchical analysis was undertaken for cluster identification. RESULTS: The incidence of road traffic knee injuries was 97.5 per 100,000 children-years. The incidence increased with age and was higher among boys than among girls. Most childhood knee injuries (50.2%) occur among pedestrians, and the majority (90.9%) of the children or their guardians admitted responsibility in crossing the road. Of the 31 children injured as car passengers, the vast majority (87.1%) were unrestrained, and a large fraction (38.7%) were front seat passengers. Two clusters were identified: the first consisted of younger children who resided mostly in the Athens area and suffered less serious knee injuries as pedestrians or car passengers during the colder months; the second consisted of older children, frequently tourists, who suffered more serious injuries as cyclists while vacationing. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the children who suffered road traffic knee injuries as pedestrians admitted responsibility in road crossing, whereas a large proportion of children who were injured as car passengers were injured while improperly seated in the front and without seatbelt protection. Older children, frequently tourists, were at high risk of knee injuries while using motorcycles and bicycles.     

A systematic review finds methodological improvements necessary for prognostic models in determining traumatic brain injury outcomes

OBJECTIVES: To describe the modeling techniques used for early prediction of outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to identify aspects for potential improvements. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We reviewed key methodological aspects of studies published between 1970 and 2005 that proposed a prognostic model for the Glasgow Outcome Scale of TBI based on admission data. RESULTS: We included 31 papers. Twenty-four were single-center studies, and 22 reported on fewer than 500 patients. The median of the number of initially considered predictors was eight, and on average five of these were selected for the prognostic model, generally including age, Glasgow Coma Score (or only motor score), and pupillary reactivity. The most common statistical technique was logistic regression with stepwise selection of predictors. Model performance was often quantified by accuracy rate rather than by more appropriate measures such as the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve. Model validity was addressed in 15 studies, but mostly used a simple split-sample approach, and external validation was performed in only four studies. CONCLUSION: Although most models agree on the three most important predictors, many were developed on small sample sizes within single centers and hence lack generalizability. Modeling strategies have to be improved, and include external validation.     

Body image,body dissatisfaction and weight status of Pacific adolescents from different ethnic communities: a cross-sectional study in New Caledonia

ABSTRACT

Objective(s): The prevalence of adolescent obesity is high among the various ethnic groups native to the Pacific region (European, Melanesian and Polynesian). An important factor of weight gain or loss is body size satisfaction; however, little is known about adolescent body self-perception in the Pacific region.

Design: Body dissatisfaction was evaluated using the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale in a sample of 699 adolescents from rural and urban areas of New Caledonia. The socio-demographic factors associated with higher body dissatisfaction were determined by multiple linear regression modeling.

Results: Our results showed a high rate of body dissatisfaction (over 70%) in the adolescents. Body dissatisfaction was strongly related to the body mass index z-score. Melanesians boys had higher body dissatisfaction scores when they felt ‘too thin’ while Melanesian girls showed lower body dissatisfaction when they felt ‘too fat.’.

Conclusion: These results showed that social pressure for thinness or musculature may be different among adolescents living in New Caledonia. These results should be taken into account in education overweight prevention programs.     

Effect of early compared with delayed enteral nutrition on endocrine function in patients with traumatic brain injury: an open-labeled randomized trial

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in a hypermetabolic and hypercatabolic status in which adequate nutrition support is essential to improve clinical outcome. The endocrine system of a patient with TBI is also affected and may play a critical role in either the metabolic or the immunologic response to the trauma. In the present study, the effect of standard, delayed enteral feeding (DEF), compared with early (within 24–48 hours) enteral feeding (EEF), on the endocrine function of patients with TBI was investigated. Methods: This comparative, prospective, open‐labeled, randomized study included TBI patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Injury severity was assessed by the Glasgow Coma Scale and predicted mortality by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II. Twenty‐five patients received DEF and 34 patients received EEF. The effect of the onset of nutrition on pituitary, thyroidal, gonadal, and adrenal function was investigated on days 6 and 12 after admission to the hospital. Results: Levels of thyroid‐stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and testosterone (in males) of DEF patients declined in comparison to levels of the day of admission to the ICU. The decrease of hormonal values was less pronounced in the EEF group. Cortisol concentrations rose in the DEF group; a lesser hormonal change was found in the EEF group. Deaths during the study for the DEF group and EEF group were 2 and 3, respectively. Conclusions: EEF may exert beneficial effects on the hormonal profile of TBI patients, possibly contributing to a better clinical outcome in this patient group.     

Role of goiter and of menstrual and reproductive factors in thyroid cancer: a population-based case-control study in New Caledonia (South Pacific), a very high incidence area

Exceptionally high incidence rates of thyroid cancer have been reported for Melanesian women in New Caledonia (South Pacific). To investigate the occurrence of thyroid cancer in that country and to clarify the role of goiter and hormonal factors in that disease in women, a countrywide population-based case-control study was conducted in 1993-1999. The study included 293 cases, identified through pathology registers and whose thyroid cancer was verified histologically, and 354 population controls. Thyroid cancer was associated with goiter, age at menarche, irregular menstruation, and hysterectomy. There was a dose-response trend with number of full-term pregnancies (p = 0.01), with an odds ratio of 2.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.1, 4.3) for women with eight or more pregnancies. Miscarriage, particularly as an outcome of the first pregnancy, was also indicated as a risk factor. The association between voluntary abortion and thyroid microcarcinoma could be explained by enhanced medical surveillance and improved cancer detection in women undergoing abortion. Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy were unrelated to thyroid cancer. The very high birth rate among Melanesian women in New Caledonia, as well as late age at menarche, may explain, in part, their elevated incidence of thyroid cancer.     

Long-Term Trends in the Epidemiology of Major Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability among adults. Falls and motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are the most common causes of TBI hospitalizations in Canada. The purpose of this study was to determine whether, at the provincial level, there have been significant changes in the injury rate and causes of major TBI. This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients in Nova Scotia who presented with major TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale Head score?≥?3) between 2002 and 2018. Prospectively entered data were collected from the Nova Scotia Trauma Registry. Annual injury rates were calculated based on 100,000 population (all ages) using population estimates from Statistics Canada. Linear regression was performed to analyze annual trends of major TBI within the province. There were 5590 major TBI patients in Nova Scotia during the 16-year study period. The overall annual rate of major TBI was 37 per 100,000 population. There was a 39% increase in the rate of major TBI over the study period (r?=????0.72, R2?=?0.51, p?<?0.002). Patients had a mean age of 51?±?25 years; 72% were male. The proportion of TBIs in males decreased significantly from 76% in 2002 to 69% in 2017 (p?<?0.001). Mechanisms of injury were predominantly falls (45%) and MVCs (29%); the proportion of violent injuries was 11.5%. The rate of fall-related TBIs more than doubled between 2002 and 2017, increasing from 9.1 to 20.5 injuries per 100,000 (p?<?0.001). Our findings demonstrate an increasing incidence of major TBI over a 16-year period with a greater than two-fold increase in the rate of fall-related TBI. These results are important for targeting TBI prevention efforts in reducing falls, especially in older adults.

     

治疗康复一体化方案在颅脑损伤患者中的应用疗效探讨

[目的]探讨治疗康复一体化方案在颅脑损伤(TBI)患者中的应用疗效。[方法]选择47例颅脑损伤患者随机分为常规治疗组27例和康复治疗组20例。两组患者均接受常规的临床治疗和常规的预防性康复训练,康复治疗组在此基础上进行早期康复治疗。两组均在治疗前后进行格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS评分)和日常生活能力评定(ADL评分)。[结果]治疗后两组GCS、ADL评分均较治疗前明显增高,且康复治疗组患者的GCS、ADL评分明显优于常规治疗组(P﹤0.05)。康复治疗组住院时间明显缩短(P﹤0.05)。[结论]颅脑损伤病人治疗康复一体化方案能有效缩短住院时间、改善患者预后、降低致残率。     

Fatal traumatic brain injury, West Virginia, 1989-1998

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe fatal cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among West Virginia residents. METHODS: The authors analyzed data from the National Center for Health Statistics Multiple Cause of Death tapes for the period 1989-1998. They compared West Virginia's annualized average TBI death rate with the rates of other states and with the rate among U.S. residents for the same period. U.S. Bureau of Census population estimates were used as denominators. RESULTS: A total of 4,416 TBI deaths occurred in West Virginia in 1989-1998, for an annual average death rate of 23.6 per 100,000 population. From 1989 to 1998, TBI death rates declined 5% (p=0.4042). Seventy-five percent (n=3,315) of fatalities occurred among men. Adults > or =65 years of age accounted for the highest percentage of fatal injuries (n=1,135). The leading external causes of fatal TBI were: firearm-related (39% of reported fatalities), motor vehicles-related (34%), and fall-related (10%). Firearm-related TBI became the leading cause of TBI fatalities in 1991, surpassing motor vehicle-related TBI. Seventy-five percent of firearm-related TBI deaths were suicides (n=1,302). West Virginia's TBI death rate (23.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national rate (20.6 per 100,000). In 23 states, the average TBI death rates over the 10-year period were higher than West Virginia's. Whereas modest declines in TBI death rates occurred for motor vehicle-related and firearm-related causes in West Virginia, a concomitant 38% increase occurred in the fall-related TBI death rate during the decade. CONCLUSION: Data presented in this report can be used to develop targeted prevention programs in West Virginia.     

镇江市院前救治的创伤性脑损伤患者特征分析

目的分析镇江市急救中心院前救治的创伤性脑损伤(TBI)患者的特征。 方法采用回顾性分析方法，对镇江市急救中心在2019年1月至2019年12月间收治的212例TBI患者进行描述性分析。其中男性115例(54.2%)，女性97例(45.8%)；年龄0(新生儿)~84岁，平均(30.5±11.5)岁；男∶女＝1.2∶1。分析患者的一般资料、损伤特征和干预措施等。 结果212例TBI患者中最常见的致伤原因是道路交通事故(155例，73.1%)、其次是殴打(26例，12.3%)和跌倒(16例，7.5%)。损伤部位以下肢为最多见(175例，82.5%)，其次是上肢(85例，40.1%)。其中损伤部位≥2处的患者87例(41.0%)。大多数患者为轻度脑外伤(格拉斯哥昏迷评分≥13分；182例，85.8%)。针对创伤患者最常见的干预措施是吸氧(198例，93.4%)，其次止血包扎(179例，84.4%)，夹板固定(129例，60.8%)、输液(79例，37.3%)和用颈托固定(39例，18.4%)。 结论TBI的主要原因是道路交通事故，需要进一步努力做好道路交通安全工作以更好地预防TBI。院前对脑损伤患者的救治手段和方法还需进一步专业化。     

Helmet use among motorcyclists who died in crashes and economic cost savings associated with state motorcycle helmet laws--United States, 2008-2010

In 2010, the 4,502 motorcyclists (operators and passengers) killed in motorcycle crashes made up 14% of all road traffic deaths, yet motorcycles accounted for <1% of all vehicle miles traveled. Helmet use consistently has been shown to reduce motorcycle crash-related injuries and deaths, and the most effective strategy to increase helmet use is enactment of universal helmet laws. Universal helmet laws require all motorcyclists to wear helmets whenever they ride. To examine the association between states' motorcycle helmet laws and helmet use or nonuse among fatally injured motorcyclists, CDC analyzed 2008-2010 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a census of fatal traffic crashes in the United States. Additionally, economic cost data from NHTSA were obtained to compare the costs saved as a result of helmet use, by type of state motorcycle helmet law. The findings indicated that, on average, 12% of fatally injured motorcyclists were not wearing helmets in states with universal helmet laws, compared with 64% in partial helmet law states (laws that only required specific groups, usually young riders, to wear helmets) and 79% in states without a helmet law. Additionally, in 2010, economic costs saved from helmet use by society in states with a universal helmet law were, on average, $725 per registered motorcycle, nearly four times greater than in states without such a law ($198).     

A diary study of the risk perceptions of road users

Employing an in situ diary, 291 road users in Oxford (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, car drivers and bus drivers) recorded details of all journeys made during 1 week and noted any incidents and near-misses which occurred on these journeys. On average, pedestrians and cyclists reported 0.18 incidents per mile travelled (one incident every 5.59 miles) and motorcyclists, car drivers and bus drivers reported 0.02 incidents per mile travelled (one incident every 41.67 miles). Analysis revealed mutual conflict between cyclists and buses, and irritation on behalf of pedestrians towards cyclists on pavements. Only 35% of incidents involving cyclists occurred at junctions and the paper discusses likely reasons for the discrepancy between this and the usual two-thirds figure quoted in official accident records. While the rate of incident perception reflected the vulnerability of pedestrians and cyclists, the amount of distress experienced did not, as bus drivers rated more of their incidents as distressing than did any other group. When incident reporting was compared to accident figures, the data suggest that car drivers were paying more attention to near-misses with the less vulnerable road users (i.e. those who could harm them) than they were to near-misses with more vulnerable road users (i.e. those whom they could harm).     

Evidence-based policy on road safety: the effect of the demerit points system on seat belt use and health outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a demerit points system, introduced in Italy in July 2003, on the prevalence of seat belt use (intermediate outcome) and the number of road traffic deaths and injuries (health outcomes). DESIGN: Pre- and post-intervention regional observational study for seat belt investigation (April 2003, October 2004); national time-series analysis of road traffic deaths and injuries between 1999 and 2004 for health outcomes. SETTING: Veneto region, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 19,551 drivers, 19,057 front passengers and 8,123 rear passengers estimated to be aged over 11 years were included in the investigation into seat belt use. 38,154 fatalities and 1,938,550 injured subjects were examined for the time-series analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Demerit points system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportions of drivers and front and rear passengers observed to be using seat belts before and after the intervention; estimates of lives and injuries saved through the implementation of a penalty points system. RESULTS: The demerit points system was followed by an increase in observed seat belt use of 51.8% (95% confidence interval 48.7% to 54.9%) among drivers, of 42.3% (95% confidence interval 39.2% to 45.5%) among front passengers and of 120.7% (95% confidence interval 99.4% to 144.3%) among rear passengers. It is estimated that 1,545 (95% confidence interval 1387 to 1703; p<0.0001) deaths and 91,772 (95% confidence interval 67,762 to 115,783; p<0.0001) injuries were prevented in the 18 months after the introduction of the legislation, i.e. an 18% reduction (1545/8570) in fatalities and a 19% reduction (91,772/473,048) in injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The demerit points system is effective both in encouraging drivers and passengers to adhere to the law and in terms of health outcomes, substantially contributing to road safety.     

Alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, and anthropometric characteristics as risk factors for thyroid cancer: a countrywide case-control study in New Caledonia

Exceptionally high incidence rates of thyroid cancer are observed in New Caledonia, particularly in Melanesian women. To investigate further the etiology of thyroid cancer and to clarify the reasons of this elevated incidence, the authors conducted a countrywide population-based case-control study in this multiethnic population. The study included 332 cases with histologically verified papillary or follicular carcinoma (293 women and 39 men) diagnosed in 1993-1999 and 412 population controls (354 women and 58 men) frequency matched by gender and 5-year age group. Thyroid cancer was negatively associated with tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking, but no inverse dose-response relation was observed. Height was positively associated with thyroid cancer, particularly in men. Strong positive associations with weight and body mass index were observed in Melanesian women aged 50 years or more, with an odds ratio of 5.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.5, 20.3) for a body mass index of 35 kg/m2 or greater compared with normal-weight women, and there was a clear dose-response trend. This study clarifies the role of overweight for thyroid cancer in postmenopausal women. Because of the high prevalence of obesity among Melanesian women of New Caledonia, this finding may explain in part the exceptionally elevated incidence of thyroid cancer in this group.     

Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury in Johannesburg--II. Morbidity, mortality and etiology

Using the method described in Part I (p. 283), data on the epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Johannesburg are presented. The overall annual incidence of TBI is 316 per 100,000. Data for Africans and Whites show marked contrasts. Among Africans, incidence is 355/100,000, with a male-female ratio of 4.4, and 763/100,000 for males aged 25-44; for Whites, it is 109/100,000 overall, with a male-female ratio of 40.1, and 419/100,000 for men aged 15-24. The overall incidence of fatal TBI is 80/100,000, with a case fatality ratio of 0.20. Interpersonal violence accounts for 51% of nonfatal TBI among Africans, as against 10% for Whites, while motor vehicle accidents cause 27% of African nonfatal TBI and 63% among Whites. Some explanatory hypotheses for this race- and sex-specific skewing of the incidence and causes of TBI are developed.     

弥漫性轴索损伤的临床特点及治疗

目的分析弥漫性轴索损伤(DAI)的临床特点、诊断方法、治疗措施以及预后情况，以总结经验，提高疗效。方法对我科1993年1月～2004年1月收治的126例弥漫性轴索损伤患者进行回顾性分析。结果本组病例治疗后GOS评分为良好38例，占30．1％；中残21例，占16．7％；重残13例，占10．3％；死亡54例，占42、9％。结论脑损伤后持续昏迷超过6h，CT扫描正常或脑内可见点状高密度影，颅内无占位效应者可诊断为DAI。DAI预后差，目前仍缺乏有效的治疗措施。     

Road safety practices among commercial motorcyclists in a rural town in Nigeria: implications for health education

This cross-sectional, community-based study was carried out among commercial motorcyclists in Igboora. All the commercial motor parks in Igboora were visited and all the commercial motorcyclists who consented to participate in the study were interviewed. Information on the respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, and the practice of road safety measures was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. A total of 299 motorcyclists were interviewed. All (100%) of them were males. The mean age of the respondents was 27.4 +/- 7.4 years. One hundred eighty-two (60.7%) of the motorcyclists had the correct knowledge of the purpose of Highway Code. Only 70 (23.3%) could recognize more than half of the currently used road safety codes and 47 (15.7%) obey these road safety codes more than half of the time they see it. Only 183 (61.2%) of them had a driving license and 72 (24.1%) were able to produce these licenses on demand. All (100%) of the respondents did not use any protective helmet. Those who have longer years of working experience, higher level of education and higher knowledge of the safety codes practice it more regularly (r = 0.198, p = 0.001, chi2= 9.31, p = 0.025, and r = 0.28, p = 0.001 respectively). One hundred thirty-six (45.5%) have been involved in at least one accident in the preceding year. The overall incidence of road traffic accident was 2.16 per 1,000. There was however on statistically significant association between the practice of road safety codes and the occurrence of road traffic accidents (chi2= 0.176, p = 0.916). The study shows that the practice of road safety measures was low in this rural Nigerian community and was not associated with the incidence of road traffic accidents. Introducing road safety education particularly targeted at educating the motorcyclists on the importance and practice of road safety measures would lead to an increase in the practice of the safety measures and hopefully a reduction in the incidence of road traffic accidents.     

Incidence of pleural mesothelioma in New Caledonia: a 10-year survey (1978-1987)

All cases of primary pleural cancers that were reported during a 10-y period (i.e., 1978-1987) in New Caledonia were recorded and compared with five cancer registers. There was an excess of primary pleural cancers in the area of New Caledonia, and it was particularly evident among the Melanesian ethnic group. Neither geographical nor occupational factors accounted for these results, but an environmental factor could not be excluded.