Injuries in 8927 patients admitted after motor-cycle crashes in Sweden 1987-1994 inclusive.
OBJECTIVE
To discover morbidity and mortality rates after motor-cycle crashes on the national level in Sweden.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital, Sweden.


METHODS
Extraction of data from International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes E819C (motor-cycle drivers) and E819D (motor-cycle passengers) recorded in the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register (SHDR) between 1987 and 1994.


METHODS
Injury distribution, medical consequences, mortality, survival, and incidence by age, sex and geographical area.


RESULTS
The number of people admitted to hospital after motor-cycle crashes decreased significantly during the period (from 1743 in 1987 to 1258 in 1994, p < 0.001). The most frequent injuries among drivers and passengers alike were fractures of the legs, arms, and vertebrae, followed by injuries to the head and brain. The in-hospital mortality was lower among drivers (n = 172, 2.2%) than among passengers (n = 31,3.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of injuries after motor-cyclist crashes decreased during the study period. The most common victims were young men with fractures and brain injuries. Those at most risk of dying were older passengers.
Department of Surgery, Söder Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. awla@yahoo.com
Andreas
A
Wladis
Lennart
L
Boström
Bo
B
Nilsson
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D009049:Motorcycles; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology