TY - JOUR PY - 2021// TI - Assessing the cushion effect: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of obesity in motor vehicle injuries and fatalities JO - Journal of intensive care medicine A1 - Hoebee, Shelby A1 - Ron, Eyal A1 - Alattar, Zana A1 - Kang, Paul A1 - VanSonnenberg, Eric SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - PURPOSE: A systematic review and meta-analysis were done to evaluate the effect of obesity in injury and mortality due to motor vehicle accidents. MATERIALS & METHODS: The systematic review consisted of 20 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was conducted on these studies to analyze obesity as a risk factor for specific injuries, as well as overall injury and mortality compared to non-obese patients.

RESULTS: The data revealed that obesity was associated with increased lower extremity injuries (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19-1.69, P ≤ 0.05), neck injuries (OR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.58-5.19, P ≤ 0.05), and overall mortality (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.40-1.61, P ≤ 0.05). When stratified for obesity class with class I as BMI >30.1-34.9, class II BMI 35-39.9, and class III BMI >40, only class II (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.15-1.24, P ≤ 0.05) and class III (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.30-1.68, P ≤ 0.05) were associated with increased mortality risk. No significant differences were seen with head, upper extremity, thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic injuries.

CONCLUSION: Obesity is a risk factor in motor vehicle accidents for fatality and injury, specifically lower extremity and neck injuries.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0885-0666 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0885066621989978 ID - ref1 ER -