@article{ref1,
title="A Milwaukee syndemic? Penetrative Injury and COVID-19",
journal="WMJ (Wisconsin medical journal)",
year="2023",
author="Dove, Alexandra and Kallies, Kara J. and Hargarten, Stephen and Tomas, Carissa W.",
volume="122",
number="5",
pages="313-318",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: This study sought to evaluate injury frequency of penetrative trauma before and after stay-at-home orders were implemented due to COVID-19 in Wisconsin. <br><br>METHODS: Patients who presented to a level I trauma center from January 2018 through December 2021 with a mechanism of injury of firearm or stab wound were included. The study was split into pre-COVID (January 2018-February 2020) and COVID (March 2020-December 2021) periods. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and interrupted time series analysis. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 1702 patients met inclusion criteria. The COVID group had a statistically significantly higher proportion of firearm injuries (83.2%) and a significantly lower proportion of stab injuries (16.8%) compared to the pre-COVID period group (70% and 30%, respectively, P  < 0.001). There was no change from pre-COVID to COVID periods in in-hospital mortality or length of hospital stays. There was an increase in firearm incidents in the COVID period in 72% of Milwaukee County ZIP codes and a decrease in stab incidents in 48% of ZIP codes. Interrupted time series analysis indicated a significant increase from the pre-COVID to COVID periods in monthly firearm and stab injuries. Firearm injury significantly increased from pre-COVID to COVID for Black or African American patients but no other racial group. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with other state and national trends suggesting increasing penetrative injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and violence pandemic may yield a &quot;syndemic,&quot; imposing a significant burden on trauma systems. Evidenced-based public health interventions are needed to mitigate the surge of firearm injuries.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1098-1861",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}