Clinicoepidemiological profile of trauma patients admitting to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital in eastern India

CONTEXT: Trauma is an immediate cause of patients flowing to the emergency department of any hospital. Besides epidemiology, clinical profile and treatment strategy forms an important aspect to reflect the gap in the existing public sector health-care system and the requirement. AIMS: To evaluate the clinicoepidemiological profile of trauma patients admitting to an apex trauma hospital in east India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective observational study was performed during the time period of December 2018 to July 2019 on trauma patients admitted to the Trauma and Emergency department. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Patient's demographic profile, injury type, mechanism, the vehicle involved in the accident, and transportation were recorded. Various trauma scores (clinical) and outcome measures were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done by R version 3.6.1. RESULTS: Male: female ratio was 407:93 with the 21–30 age group predominantly. 2–6 PM was the most common time of injury and ambulance was the predominant mode of transport (58%). Road traffic injury (RTI) accounted for 75% victims; two-wheelers (68%) dominated over others. Thirty percent (drivers 18%, pillion riders 12%) were wearing helmet; 41% were wearing seat belts (drivers 34%, passenger 12%). Twenty-five percent of drivers consumed alcohol. The median ± Interquartile range of injury severity score (ISS), revised trauma and trauma score and injury severity score were 17 (11–26), 7.8 (4.1–7.8), and 98.41 (95.95–99.30), respectively. Extremity injury (54% fractures) and head injury (50%) were the frontrunners in the pattern of injury, with half of the victims were polytrauma (ISS > 15). CONCLUSIONS: The injury was prominently RTI and the trauma victims/patients were young male drivers on two wheelers. The focus should be directed to make use of safety measures among the youth.