Alcohol-related road traffic injuries in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to prospectively study the demography, severity of injury and outcome of alcohol-related road traffic collision (RTC) injuries in the United Arab Emirates.

METHODS

Data of RTC Registry of Al-Ain City were prospectively collected from Al-Ain and Tawam hospitals during the period of April 2006 to October 2007. It included all RTC trauma patients who were admitted or those who died after arrival to these hospitals. Car occupants with complete data on alcohol use were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups, those who reported using alcohol and those who did not.

RESULTS

Out of the 771 car occupants, sixteen (16) used alcohol (2.1%), 15 (94%) of them were males. The median (range) age of the alcohol group was significantly higher than those without alcohol (35 (15-53) years compared with 26 (1-78) years, p = 0.02). The UAE nationals were significantly more (P = 0.01) and the revised trauma score was significantly less in the alcohol group (P = 0.03). Head/face was the most commonly injured region in the alcohol group (94%).

CONCLUSION

Self reported alcohol-related car collisions in Al-Ain City had a low incidence. It affected older Emirati male nationals and was associated with lower revised trauma score, mainly due to head injury. There is a need for a national registry with data on alcohol abuse so as to assess its effects and strategies for its prevention.