Table 6 Epidemiological studies from the UK and Ireland- injuries in the general population
Author and date | Type of study/data source | Population (denominator)/size | Level of severity | Epidemiological observation | Major findings | Epidemiological shortcomings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lyons et al., 2003 [60] | descriptive study/Patient Episode Database for Wales | general population/2.84 million Wales | hospitalization | proportions by age, type, cause; crude and world standardised rates by age, cause, deprivation category (Townsend score), hospitalisation ratios | 1997–1999 1493/100,000 (world) standard admission rate; socioeconomic gradients in children and older people for pedestrian assault related injuries | No information on severity of injury |
McKee et al., 1990 [62] | descriptive study/Hospital A&E data | sample of general population – one rural area Northern Ireland | A&E | rates; regression (A&E attendance – distance travelled, socio-economic variables) | 1986 22000/100,000 attendance rate association of injury with travel distance to A&E (r = -0.73); no association with deprivation or practice characteristics | Extrapolation of results less likely, one geographical region |
McNicholl & Cooke, 1995 [63] | descriptive study/Northern Ireland hospitals records | general population/1 million Northern Ireland | hospitalization | proportions and rates by age, gender, cause, diagnosis, process of care (surgical procedures), outcome (death, persistent vegetative state, severe/moderate disability, good recovery) | 1990/1991 23.2/100,000 incidence rate overall/20.5/100,000 excluding terrorist activities (injuries ISS >15) | 1 year only study, only injuries ISS>15 (excludes pre-hospital deaths) |
Boland et al., 2005 [68] | descriptive study/Central Office Statistics; Hospital In Patient Enquire data | general population Republic of Ireland | deaths, hospitalization | proportions, standardised mortality and admission ratios by cause, age, gender, urban vs. rural | 1980–2000/1993–2000 unintentional injuries Standardized mortality/admission ratios (rural) 103.0/104.6 | No information on severity |
Scallan et al., 2004 [67] | descriptive study/Central Statistics Office; Hospital In Patient Enquire | general population Ireland | deaths, hospitalization | proportions and rates by cause, type | Highlights the importance of using morbidity (1993–1997, 1239.9/100,000) & mortality (1980–1996, 31.6/100,000) data on a complementary way; 1:39 deaths: hospital admissions ratio | Morbidity and mortality data cover different time periods; unintentional injuries |