[Knife stab injuries in Stuttgart 2014-2024: an epidemiological overview]

Knife stab injuries are rare in Germany but are gaining increasing clinical, societal and political relevance. While nationwide crime statistics document a marked rise in knife attacks, there is currently a lack of robust clinical data on hospitalized cases.

The aim of this study was to present the temporal development of such injuries in Stuttgart over the past 10 years.

A retrospective, single-center cohort analysis was conducted of all patients hospitalized with knife stab injuries inflicted by third parties at the Klinikum Stuttgart between 2014 and 2024. Included were externally inflicted injuries occurring in Stuttgart; self-inflicted injuries, accidents without external involvement and cases treated exclusively on an outpatient basis were excluded.

There was a significant increase in hospitalized patients with stab injuries with a peak in 2021. Overall, this corresponds to an increase of approximately 100% over 10 years (10% per year). During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, around 70% more cases occurred compared to other years. The monthly distribution showed significant peaks in April, August and December. The clustering on Sundays and Mondays indicates an elevated risk during weekend nights. A total of 92% of affected individuals were male, with a mean age of 31.1 years.

Hospitalized patients with knife stab injuries in Stuttgart significantly increased between 2014 and 2024, particularly during the COVID-19 years. The majority of the affected individuals were young men. The results confirm the clinical perception of an increasing number of severe knife stab injuries requiring hospital treatment in the Klinikum Stuttgart.