Clinico-demographic Profile of Patients Presenting with Road Traffic Accidents at National Trauma Center of Nepal: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION

Road traffic accidents are a major global health concern, accounting for 1.35 million fatalities and countless impairments every year. The number of road traffic accidents in Nepal is rising, which has a significant effect on the country's economy and healthcare system. Over a period of five years, the study aimed to analyze the clinico-demographic characteristics of patients admitted for injuries due to road traffic accidents in the National Trauma Center of Nepal.

METHODS

This is an observational study conducted by reviewing a five-year admission data from 2018 to 2023 A.D. of a tertiary care trauma center. The study was conducted following approval from the Ethical Review Board of Nepal Health Research Council (Reference number: 969). All patients admitted to the trauma centre following injuries due to road traffic accidents were included in the study. The results were summarised using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Out of 20,843 admissions, 3,810 (18.28%) were due to RTAs. The male-to-female ratio was 4.44:1, with a median age of 31.00 (24.00 to 43.00) years. Age distribution was as follows: <18 years (6.75%), 18-39 years (62.13%), 40-59 years (23.62%), and ≥60 years (7.50%). The median hospital stay was 8.00 (3 to 16) days. The most common injuries were lower limb 2386 (62.62%), upper limb 958 (25.14%), and head injuries 890 (23.36%). The mortality rate was 72 (1.89%).

CONCLUSIONS

Injuries due to road traffic accidents constitute a significant portion of admissions at the National Trauma Center in Nepal, predominantly affecting young males. Lower limb injuries were most common.