Risk factors for maxillofacial injuries in a Brazilian emergency hospital sample.
BACKGROUND
Maxillofacial injuries occur in a significant number of trauma patients. Epidemiological assessments are essential to reaffirm patterns, identify new trends and develop clinical and research priorities for effective treatment and prevention of these injuries.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the epidemiological profile and risk factors associated with maxillofacial trauma treated at a referral emergency hospital for the Public Health System in the State Capital of Goiás, Brazil.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was designed including 530 patients with maxillofacial trauma, 76% male, with a mean age of 25.5+/-15.0 years. Data were collected between May 2003 and August 2004 over weekly shift-working periods.


RESULTS
The main causes of trauma were traffic accidents (45.7%) and physical assaults (24.3%), and differences in etiological factors were identified according to gender (p<0.001). The distribution of patients according to age and etiology showed significant differences for traffic accidents (p<0.01), physical assaults (p<0.001), falls (p<0.001) and sport injuries (p<0.01). In the multinomial logistic regression analysis (R(2) = 0.233; p<0.05), age was associated with injury in traffic accidents and falls (p<0.01), sports-related accidents were associated with males (p<0.05), and alcohol consumption with assaults and traffic accidents (p<0.001). Facial soft tissue lesions were found in 98% of patients and facial fractures in 51%.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant association of maxillofacial trauma with young males and alcohol consumption reinforces the need for educational strategies and the development of policies for the prevention and reduction of associated damage in this specific risk group.
Leles
José Luiz Rodrigues
JL
Health Secretary of Goiás, Emergency Hospital of Goiânia, School of Dentistry, Universidade Paulista-UNIP, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
dos Santos
Enio José
EJ
Jorge
Fabrício David
FD
da Silva
Erica Tatiane
ET
Leles
Cláudio Rodrigues
CR
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult