| Restraint use and lower extremity fractures in frontal motor vehicle collisions. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 15345980 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: Seat belts and air bags have been shown to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality following MVCs. Research suggests that restraint use does not protect against lower extremity fracture; however, no population-based studies of this association exist. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of combined seat belt and airbag restraint systems with airbag alone, seat belt alone, and no restraints with respect to incidence and location of lower extremity fractures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of front seat occupants involved in police-reported, tow-away frontal MVCs was conducted using data from the 1995 through 2000 National Automotive Sampling System (NASS). Incidence and relative risk (RR) of fracture to specific bony regions were measured according to seat belt use and airbag deployment. RESULTS: Compared with unrestrained occupants, occupants restrained with airbag only had significantly higher risk for all types of lower extremity fractures whereas those occupants restrained with either seat belt only or seat belt and airbag had lower risk of fracture. The greatest difference was seen with tibia/fibula fractures in airbag only (RR, 2.14) but this trend continued to be significant with femur and pelvic fractures (RR, 1.13 and 1.23, respectively). CONCLUSION: While airbags may reduce the risk of death when used alone or in combination with seat belts, the results of this study demonstrate that air bags increase the risk of lower extremity fractures when used as the sole method of passenger protection. Also, they may do so differentially according to skeletal region. This data strongly support the consideration of developing accessory knee bolster airbags to prevent the "submarining" or sliding under the airbag that may be responsible for this finding. |
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Authors:
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Lance S Estrada; Jorge E Alonso; Gerald McGwin; Jesse Metzger; Loring W Rue |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The Journal of trauma Volume: 57 ISSN: 0022-5282 ISO Abbreviation: J Trauma Publication Date: 2004 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2004-09-03 Completed Date: 2004-10-05 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0376373 Medline TA: J Trauma Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 323-8 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
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Section of Orthopaedic Trauma, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0016, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Accident Prevention Accidents, Traffic / mortality, prevention & control, statistics & numerical data* Adult Age Distribution Air Bags / standards*, utilization Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) Equipment Design Female Fractures, Bone / epidemiology*, etiology, prevention & control Humans Incidence Injury Severity Score Law Enforcement Leg Injuries / epidemiology*, etiology, prevention & control Male Morbidity Needs Assessment Pelvic Bones / injuries Population Surveillance Retrospective Studies Risk Factors Seat Belts / standards*, utilization Sex Distribution United States / epidemiology |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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