A review of serious injury and death from gunshot wounds in Sweden: 1987 to 1994.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence, range and causes of injury, medical consequences, and mortality of patients with gunshot wounds (GSW) in Sweden.


METHODS
Retrospective case study.


METHODS
The Swedish Hospital National Discharge Register (SNHDR).


METHODS
1559 patients with gunshot wounds, in all 2394 episodes treated in Swedish hospitals from 1987-1994.


METHODS
Statistical analysis of the Register.


METHODS
Incidence of GSW in Sweden, mortality, range of injuries and medical consequences.


RESULTS
From 1987 to 1994 a total of 1559 people were admitted to Swedish hospitals with GSW, which corresponds to 2.3 injuries/100000 population/year. In all, 2394 episodes were treated in hospitals. There were 1373 men (88%) and 186 women (12%), with a median age of 29 years (range 1-92). Of these, 990 were recorded as accidents (63%), 257 as suicides (16%), 174 as attempted murder (11%), and 138 as of "unknown cause" (9%). The annual incidence of GSW in Sweden was relatively constant during this period. The total number of deaths in our series of patients was 111 (7%), including 74 suicides, 16 accidents, 14 homicides, and 7 of "unknown cause". Among these, 53% had a head injury, 11% thoracic, and 8% abdominal injuries. Compared with other countries in the world, the incidence of GSW in Sweden is comparable with New Zealand and Finland, but lower than in the USA. Injuries to extremities were most common, followed by injuries to the head and neck. Thirty percent of all those admitted to hospital required more than one week in hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of GSW is low in Sweden, and they are mainly caused by accidents or attempted suicide. Injuries to the extremities were most common, followed by injuries to the head and neck. Two thirds of the patients left hospital within a week. Seven percent of patients treated for GSW in hospital died.
Boström
L
L
Department of General Surgery, Söder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nilsson
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality*