Table 9 Epidemiological studies from Europe – injuries in the general population

van der Sluis et al., 1996 [85]

descriptive study/University Hospital Groningen data

youth (20–29 y) and elderly (>60 y)

Groningen, The Netherlands

hospitalization

proportions by severity (ISS), age, gender, cause, body region, process of care (e.g. length of stay), outcome (disability, died, vegetative state)

1985–1990 (injuries ISS ≥ 16) RTC leading cause 76.6 vs. 79.3% young vs. elderly; 19.6 vs. 38.8% mortality in young vs. elderly patients

100% mortality in elderly with ISS ≥ 50

No population based rates; only injuries ISS ≥ 16

van Beeck

et al., 1998 [84]

descriptive study/Road Traffic Accident Registry; Occupational Registry; National Medical Registry; Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics

general population

The Netherlands

deaths, hospitalization and A&E

proportions and rates by cause, location, trends of crude/standardized mortality, incidence and case-fatality rates, exposure/injury risk

1950–1995 (several data sources)

Mortality upward trend (1950–1970), downward trend until mid 80s then diminishes; all changes reflecting trends in incidence and case-fatality rates.

Role of trauma care, preventive measures, economic & autonomous factors (cultural, demographical and technological trends)

Injury severity defined by case fatality within broad classes, e.g. intracranial injuries; internal injuries organs in the chest

Kannus et al., 2001 [88]

descriptive study/National Hospital Discharge Register

adults (>15 y)/5 million

Finland

hospitalization

proportions and rates crude/standardized by gender, cause, mechanism, trends of incidence rates

Changes in the profile of injury (1971–1995) with falls as the leading cause for both men and women

1995 falls age adjusted incidence rate male/female 635/689 per 100,000

No information on severity; serious injuries defined by those requiring hospitalisation

Kannus et al., 2005 [87]

descriptive study/Finnish Official Cause of Death Statistics

adults (>15 y)/3.5 million (1971)

4.3 million (2003)

Finland

deaths

rates crude/standardized by age, gender, cause, trends of mortality rates

Changes in the unintentional injury deaths (1971–2003) with falls replacing RTC as the leading cause

1971–2003 falls age adjusted death rate male/female 18–24/30-18 per 100,000

Data on deaths only; unintentional injuries

Sahlin et al., 1990 [81]

descriptive study/Trondheim hospital records and questionnaire data; general practice data

general population

Trondheim, Norway

hospitalization general practitioners visits

proportions by severity (AIS code, 1976), body region, location; rates by age, gender, type

1985/1986 incidence rate 11400 per 100,000 persons; 0.4% of all injury – fatal; 9% of all injury – hospitalised

Home accidents leading cause for injuries (39%) followed by RTC (15%)

RTC leading cause for fatal accidents (42%)

1 year study and one geographical region only