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Epidemiology of major work-related injuries in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: a 10-year retrospective study
Munawar Farooq1,2,3, Arif Alper Cevik4,2,3, David O Alao1,2,3
1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE.
Objectives:
To describe the proportion, demographic profile, mechanisms, temporal distribution, injury patterns and in-hospital outcomes of adults with major work-related trauma admitted to hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected trauma registry data.
Setting:
Seven trauma-receiving hospitals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 2014 to 2023.
Participants:
Adults aged 18 years or older with injuries coded as work-related in the Abu Dhabi Trauma Registry and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 12 or greater.
Main Outcome Measures:
Proportion of adult trauma admissions with ISS≥12 that were work-related; mechanisms of injury; anatomical injury pattern; intensive care unit (ICU) use; hospital and ICU length of stay; discharge disposition; and in-hospital mortality.
Results:
Among 7019 adults with ISS≥12, 1318 (18.8%) had work-related injuries. Patients were predominantly young, with a median age of 33 years (IQR 27-42), male (98.6%) and non-local (98.8%). Falls from more than 1 meter were the leading mechanism (52.7%), followed by struck-by-object injuries (17.9%) and road traffic collisions (8.8%). Head and neck (53.1%), extremity (49.4%) and chest (48.3%) injuries were common, with a median of 2 injured body regions (IQR 2-3). Median ISS was 22 (IQR 17-29). ICU admission was required in 43.0%; median ICU length of stay was 5 days (IQR 3-12), median hospital length of stay was 8 days (IQR 3-16) and in-hospital mortality was 8.9%. Burns had the highest mortality (31.0%). 76% of all trauma patients were discharged home; however around 14% required transfer, long-term care or rehabilitation.
Conclusions:
Major work-related trauma in Abu Dhabi occurs predominantly among young non-local men, is caused mainly by falls from height and struck-by events and places a substantial burden on trauma and critical care services. Prevention should prioritise control of high-energy workplace hazards, especially falls from height, while service planning should account for rehabilitation and longer-term recovery needs.
