Differences in the location and multiplicity of mandibular fractures in Kuwait, Canada and Finland during the 1990s.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the location and multiplicity of mandibular fractures in Kuwait, Canada and Finland during the 1990s.


METHODS
Data were collected from several hospitals in Kuwait (1991-2000), Toronto General Hospital in Canada (1995-2000) and Oulu University Hospital in Finland (1990-1999). The data were analyzed statistically using chi-square test, ANOVA, t test and logistic regression.


RESULTS
Condylar fractures were more common in Finnish patients (41%) than Canadian (35%) or Kuwaiti patients (21%). Condylar fractures caused by falls were about 3.4 times more common in Kuwait and Finland compared to Canada. In Finland the risk of road traffic accidents caused by condylar fracture was about 4 times higher than those caused by other etiologies. In Canada male gender was about 2 times higher for the condylar fracture than female gender. Female patients often had more multiple injuries than men in all three countries and multiple fractures were observed especially in traumas caused by falling.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in location and multiplicity of mandibular fractures are due to differences in etiologies and demographic patterns.
Oikarinen
Kyosti
K
Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait. kyosti.oikarinen@oulu.fi
Thalib
Lukman
L
Sàndor
George K B
GK
Schutz
Petr
P
Clokie
Cameron M L
CM
Safar
Slavek
S
Meisami
Tina
T
Perheentupa
Ulla
U
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014754:Violence