title: [Incidence of severe injuries. Results of a population-based analysis].
abstract: It is still unknown exactly how many persons sustain a severe injury (ISS > or =16) in Germany each year. Considering the growing restrictions and the introduction of DRGs, it was necessary to acquire data about this rather resource-intensive aspect of trauma care. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the incidence of severe trauma within a defined population. In a retrospective study all surgical emergencies within a 5-year period (1996-2000) were reviewed. Data on type, pattern, severity of injury, and mortality were extracted from the patients' records. During the study period 454 persons sustained a severe injury (ISS > or =16), 112 individuals died at the scene of the accident, and 64 during the hospital stay. The average ISS of the surviving patients was 27 (ISS 16-75). The calculated incidence of severe trauma was 25/100,000 inhabitants per year. Extrapolated, up to 40,000 persons sustain a severe injury each year in Germany. For the first time, this study has provided data on the incidence of major trauma in Germany. Based on the acquired data and a previous cost analysis, hospital treatment costs for severely injured patients amount to up to 2 billion Euros per year in Germany.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Unfall-, Hand und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universität, Ulm. ulrich.liener@medizin.uni-ulm.de
authors.forename: U C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Liener
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rapp
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lampl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helm
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaus
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wildner
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kinzl
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gebhard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate