@article{ref1,
title="Alcohol is a risk factor for helmet non-use and fatalities in off-road vehicle and motorcycle crashes",
journal="European journal of trauma and emergency surgery",
year="2024",
author="Kureshi, Nelofar and Walling, Simon and Erdogan, Mete and Opra, Izabella and Green, Robert S. and Clarke, David B.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Off-road vehicle (ORV) and motorcycle use is common in Canada; however, risk of serious injury is heightened when these vehicles are operated without helmets and under the influence of alcohol. This study evaluated the impact of alcohol intoxication on helmet non-use and mortality among ORV and motorcycle crashes. <br><br>METHODS: Using data collected from the Nova Scotia Trauma Registry, a retrospective analysis (2002-2017) of ORV and motorcycle crashes resulting in major traumatic brain injury was performed. Patients were grouped by blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as negative (< 2 mmol/L), legally intoxicated (2-17.3 mmol/L) or criminally intoxicated (> 17.3 mmol/L). Logistic regression models were constructed to test for helmet non-use and mortality. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 424 trauma patients were included in the analysis (220 ORV, 204 motorcycle). Less than half (45%) of patients involved in ORV crashes were wearing helmets and 65% were criminally intoxicated. Most patients involved in motorcycle crashes were helmeted at time of injury (88.7%) and 18% were criminally intoxicated. Those with criminal levels of intoxication had 3.7 times the odds of being unhelmeted and were 3 times more likely to die prehospital compared to BAC negative patients. There were significantly increased odds of in-hospital mortality among those with both legal (OR = 5.63), and criminal intoxication levels (OR = 4.97) compared to patients who were BAC negative. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Alcohol intoxication is more frequently observed in ORV versus motorcycle crashes. Criminal intoxication is associated with helmet non-use. Any level of intoxication is a predictor of increased in-hospital mortality.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1863-9933",
doi="10.1007/s00068-024-02572-1",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00068-024-02572-1"
}