[Characteristics of unintentional and intentional injuries in Israel between the years 2000-2006]

The expected worldwide increases in injuries from traffic crashes, violence and war will not only affect the individual but the health care system. A current and comprehensive understanding of the causes of injury will serve to identify at-risk populations, create injury prevention programs and provide more effective treatment for those injured.

The present study uses data from the Israel National Trauma Registry (2000-2006) to characterize trauma injuries resulting in hospitalization. Injuries were assessed according to cause: unintentional, intentionaL as a result of terror or war and other intentional injuries.

The study included 155,496 hospitaLized patients from 11 of the major trauma centers in Israel (unintentional = 142,028; intentional = 13,468). Approximately 20% of unintentional injuries were reLated to terror or war. We observed a linear increase for other intentional injuries from 5.8% in 2000 to 6.9% in 2009 (chi2 = 20.0; p < 0.001). No specific time trend was observed for terror or war-related injuries or unintentional injuries. Rates of hospitaLization according to age were similar for both groups of intentional injuries. The rate of severe to critical injuries (injury severity score 16+) was highest among terror and war injuries (24%) compared to other intentional injuries (16%) or unintentional injuries (8%). In-hospital mortality was highest among patients with terror or war injuries.

This study shows that injuries from terror and war are more complex and severe than other intentionaL or unintentional injuries. Characterizing injuries by cause is necessary for appropriate injury management and care.