The epidemiology of firearm injuries managed in US emergency departments

• DOI: 10.1186/s40621-018-0168-5
• Publication Date: 2018-09-25T15:14:30Z
• Authors: Jacob B. Avraham; Spiros G. Frangos; Charles J. DiMaggio
• Keywords: Biostatistics

Firearm-related injuries cause significant morbidity and mortality in the United States (US), consuming resources fueling political public health discourse. Most analyses of firearm are based on fatality statistics. Here, we describe epidemiology presenting to US emergency departments (EDs). We performed a retrospective study Healthcare Cost Utilization Program Nationwide Emergency Department Survey (NEDS) from 2009 2012. NEDS is largest all-payer ED survey containing approximately 30 million annual records. Results include survey-adjusted counts, proportions, means, rates, confidence intervals age-stratified discharges for injuries. There were 71,111 (se = 613) 2009; absolute number increased 3.9% 1.2) 75,559 610) 18-to-44-year-olds accounted proportion total with 52,187 527) 56,644 528) 2012—a 7.2% 1.6) relative rate increase an 3.3/100,000 0.7). Firearm among children < 5-years-old 16%, 19% 5-to-9-years-old. 136,112 761)—or 48.2%—of those injured treated discharged home without admission; 106,927 755) admitted. deaths represented one-third all trauma mortality. Three-quarters resided neighborhoods median incomes below $49,250. 2012, driven by adults aged 18-to-44-years-old, disproportionately impacting lower socioeconomic communities. Injuries also young children. remain continued challenge, source