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. 2018;26(6):370-373.
doi: 10.1590/1413-785220182606180607.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF THE UPPER LIMBS IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Samuel Ribak  1   2 , Elton João Nunes de Oliveira  1   2 , Gustavo Pupo Rosolino  1 , Pedro Orru  1 , Alexandre Tietzmann  1
Affiliations

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF THE UPPER LIMBS IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Samuel Ribak et al. Acta Ortop Bras. 2018.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology of traumatic injuries of the upper limbs treated at a university hospital and identify the causes, types of injuries, and risk factors.

Methods: A prospective study was performed with accidents resulting in trauma categorized into three groups: domestic, occupational, or transportation-related. A questionnaire containing information about the patient and the accident was administered. Lesion characteristics were evaluated according to the injured area, the type of injury, and the management strategy adopted for each case.

Results: A total of 613 patients were evaluated. The most frequent accidents were domestic (66.6%), predominantly involving men (67.9%) with a mean age of 31 years. Wrist lesions prevailed in transportation-related (31.1%) and domestic (29.6%) accidents, and in accidents involving fingers at work (54.2%). Closed fractures were more frequent and conservative treatment was indicated most often. Serious injuries were associated with finger accidents (39.4%). There was a correlation between the level of education and the type of accident.

Conclusion: Traumatic injuries of the upper limbs were more frequent in domestic accidents and in male patients. Closed fractures were the most common type of fracture and were usually treated conservatively. Serious injuries were more often related to finger trauma. Education level influenced domestic, transportation-related, and occupational accidents. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Objetivo: Realizar a epidemiología das lesões traumáticas dos membros superiores, atendidas em Hospital Universitário, identificando sua origem e tipos de lesões, determinando fatores de riscos.

Métodos: É um estudo prospectivo onde os acidentes foram caracterizados em três grupos: doméstico, trabalho ou transporte. Um questionário contendo informações pessoais e do acidente foi aplicado. Avaliaram-se as características da lesão referente ao seguimento afetado, tipo de lesão e conduta adotada para cada caso.

Resultados: Avaliou-se 613 pacientes; os acidentes mais frequentes foram domésticos (66,6%), predominando o sexo masculino (67,9%), com média de idade 31 anos. As lesões em punhos prevaleceram nos acidentes de transporte (31,1%) e domésticos (29,6%). Nos acidentes de trabalho, lesões de dedos (54,2%). A fratura fechada foi mais recorrente e o tratamento conservador o mais indicado. As lesões graves relacionaram-se à acidentes em dedos (39,4%). Houve correlação entre nível de escolaridade e tipos de acidentes.

Conclusão: Lesões traumáticas dos membros superiores são mais incidentes em acidentes domésticos e em pacientes do sexo masculino. A fratura fechada é a mais frequente e o tratamento conservador o mais indicado. As lesões graves são relacionadas a acidentes em dedos. A escolaridade apresenta diferença em relação a acidentes doméstico, de transporte ou de trabalho. Nível de evidência IV, série de casos.

Keywords: Accidents, Occupational; Epidemiology; Hand; Incidence; Risk factors; Trauma; Upper extremity.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Distribution of patients according to the type of accident.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Sex distribution according to the type of accident.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Mean age according to the type of accident.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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