Motorcycle-related injuries in the United Arab Emirates

To study the anatomical distribution, severity, outcome, and age by nationality of hospitalized motorcycle-related injured patients in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates so as to improve preventive measures.

All motorcycle riders involved in a road traffic collision and admitted to Al-Ain Hospital for more than 24 h or who died in hospital after arrival were studied. Patient data were retrieved from Al-Ain Hospital Trauma Registry. Data had been prospectively collected during four and half years (March 2003-October 2007). Demography of patients, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), Hospital stay, mortality, nationality, time, day of week, and month of occurrence were analyzed.

There were 95 patients (93 males). Mean (SD) age was 29.8 (11.5) years. 35% were United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals. Upper limbs were most frequently involved (54%) followed by lower limbs (48%), head (41%), and face (30%). On arrival at hospital, median (range) ISS was 4.5 (1-36) and median (range) GCS was 15 (3-15). Mean (range) hospital stay was 8.8 (1-79) days. 14 patients (15%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. In-hospital mortality was 6%. UAE national victims were significantly younger and had more abdominal injuries than expatriates, who had lower limb injuries.

The most common mechanism of motorcycle crashes was hitting a moving vehicle. Young UAE national motorcyclists are at a higher risk of being injured compared with non UAE nationals. This may be due to risk-taking behavior of young motorcyclists who are mainly riding for leisure. Extremities were the most common injured body region. Severe head injury was the main cause of death. This signifies the need for effective application of motorcycle helmet law in the UAE along with other preventive measures that might include increasing the licensing age.