Citation

Han GM, Newmyer A, Qu M. Traffic Injury Prev. 2015; 16(6): 605-610.

Affiliation

a Division of Public Health , Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services , Lincoln . Nebraska.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2014.999856

PMID

25671580

Abstract

Background. Seatbelt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in motor vehicle crashes. However, some case reports described seatbelt use as a double-edged sword because some injuries are related to seatbelt use in motor vehicle crashes. To comprehensively understand the effects of seatbelt use, we systemically investigated the association between seatbelt use and injuries based on anatomic body region and type of injury in drivers who involved in motor vehicle crashes.

METHODS. The injury information was obtained by linking crash reports with hospital discharge data and categorized by using the diagnosis codes based on the Barell injury diagnosis matrix. 10,479 drivers (≥15 years) in passenger vehicles involved in motor vehicle crashes from 2006 to 2011 were included in this study.

RESULTS. Seatbelt use significantly reduced the proportions of traumatic brain injury (10.4% non-seatbelt; 4.1% seatbelt) and other head, face, and neck injury (29.3% non-seatbelt; 16.6% seatbelt), while increased the proportion of spine: thoracic to coccyx injury (17.9% non-seatbelt; 35.5% seatbelt). Although the proportion of spine: thoracic to coccyx injury was increased in drivers with seatbelt use, the severity of injury was decreased, such as fracture (4.2% with seatbelt use; 22.0% without seatbelt use). Furthermore, the total medical charges decreased due to the change of injury profiles in drivers with seatbelt use from higher percent of fracture (average cost for per case $26,352) to higher percent of sprains or/and strains ($1,897) with spine: thoracic to coccyx injury.

CONCLUSION. This study provide a comprehensive picture for understanding the protective effect of seatbelt use on injuries based on anatomic body region and type of injury in drivers who involved in motor vehicle crashes.

Language: en