Citation

Blazewick DH, Chounthirath T, Hodges NL, Collins CL, Smith GA. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 2018; 36(4): 608-614.

Affiliation

Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States; The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States; Child Injury Prevention Alliance, Columbus, OH, United States. Electronic address: gary.smith@nationwidechildrens.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ajem.2017.09.034

PMID

28947224

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of stair-related injuries among individuals of all ages and estimate national injury frequencies and rates using a representative sample of patients treated in United States emergency departments.

METHODS: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System were analyzed for patients treated for stair-related injuries in United States emergency departments from 1990 through 2012.

RESULTS: An estimated 24,760,843 patients were treated in emergency departments for a stair-related injury during the 23-year study period, averaging 1,076,558 patients annually, or 37.8 injuries per 10,000 United States residents. The annual rate of stair-related injuries decreased by 12.6% (p<0.001) during 1990-1996, followed by an increase of 24.0% (p<0.001) during 1996-2012. Although the highest injury rates occurred among younger children and older adults, the majority (67.2%) of emergency department visits for stair-related injuries was by individuals 11-60years old. Most patients were female (62.4%), who also had a higher injury rate (46.5 vs. 29.1 per 10,000) than males. Sprains and strains (32.3%), soft tissue injuries (23.8%), and fractures (19.3%) were the most common types of injury. The body regions most frequently injured were the lower extremities (42.1%) and head/neck (21.6%). Patients ≤10years old experienced more head/neck injuries. Older adult patients more frequently sustained fractures than younger age groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Stairs are a common source of injury among individuals of all ages and the frequency and rate of stair-related injuries are increasing. This underscores the need for increased prevention efforts, particularly those related to stair design and construction.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Emergency department; Injury; National Electronic Injury Surveillance System; Stairs; Stairways