Do accidents happen accidentally? A study of trauma registry and periodical examination database

Health profile of trauma victims might affect accident involvement. Information linking medical data to accident epidemiology is lacking. This study aims to identify health factors that increase risk of accident involvement.

The Israeli Defense Forces maintains two databases: records of periodical health examination of military personnel and a trauma registry including emergency department referrals of personnel resulting from injury. We identified 5,578 subjects who were examined in the Periodical Health Examination Center and were victims of trauma. We analyzed relation between injuries and various health parameters.

Results shows cigarette smoking is more frequent among the population involved in trauma (40% in motor vehicle crash, 37% in fall injury, and 31% in blunt contusion compared with 28% in Periodical Health Examination Center population not involved in trauma, p < 0.05). Odds ratio of smokers involvement in motor vehicle crash is 1.82 (95% confidence interval, 1.25-2.67, p < 0.005). Younger age is relatively more frequent among trauma victims.

We conclude that cigarette smokers and younger subjects might be at greater risk of being involved in accidental injuries.