Accident Mechanisms and Injury Patterns in E-Scooter Users–A Retrospective Analysis and Comparison With Cyclists.


Journal

Deutsches Arzteblatt international
ISSN: 1866-0452
Titre abrégé: Dtsch Arztebl Int
Pays: Germany
ID NLM: 101475967

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
26 02 2021
Historique:
received: 18 02 2020
revised: 18 02 2020
accepted: 13 10 2020
entrez: 21 4 2021
pubmed: 22 4 2021
medline: 4 5 2021
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

E-scooter sharing systems were initiated in Hamburg in June 2019. The number of persons injured in Hamburg in e-scooter accidents rose thereafter. The goal of this study was to determine the typical accident mechanisms and injury patterns after e-scooter accidents in Germany, and to compare these with bicycle accidents. In a retrospective study, accidents with e-scooters and bicycles that occurred from June 2019 to June 2020 were registered and analyzed with respect to demography, accident mechanisms, diagnostics, patterns of injury, emergency medical care, operations, and inpatient hospitalizations. 89 persons sustained e-scooter accidents (mean age 33.9 years, standard deviation [SD] 14 years); 435 persons who sustained bicycle accidents (mean age 42.5 years, SD 17 years) served as a comparison group. E-scooter accidents more commonly occurred at night (37% versus 14%), and 28% of the persons who sustained them were under the influence of alcohol (cyclists: 6%). 54% of the injured e-scooter riders suffered trauma to the head or face; 14% had a severe head injury and 16% had a severe facial injury. Fractures of the upper limbs were more common than fractures of the lower limbs (18% versus 6%). On initial assessment in the emergency room, injured cyclists were more frequently classified as needing immediate treatment than injured e-scooter riders (7% versus 1%). The head, face, and upper limbs are the most commonly affected parts of the body in e-scooter accidents. Compared to bicycle accidents, e-scooter accidents more commonly occur on weekends and in association with alcohol. From a medical point of view, abstaining from alcohol consumption and wearing a helmet when using an e-scooter is strongly recommended.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND
E-scooter sharing systems were initiated in Hamburg in June 2019. The number of persons injured in Hamburg in e-scooter accidents rose thereafter. The goal of this study was to determine the typical accident mechanisms and injury patterns after e-scooter accidents in Germany, and to compare these with bicycle accidents.
METHODS
In a retrospective study, accidents with e-scooters and bicycles that occurred from June 2019 to June 2020 were registered and analyzed with respect to demography, accident mechanisms, diagnostics, patterns of injury, emergency medical care, operations, and inpatient hospitalizations.
RESULTS
89 persons sustained e-scooter accidents (mean age 33.9 years, standard deviation [SD] 14 years); 435 persons who sustained bicycle accidents (mean age 42.5 years, SD 17 years) served as a comparison group. E-scooter accidents more commonly occurred at night (37% versus 14%), and 28% of the persons who sustained them were under the influence of alcohol (cyclists: 6%). 54% of the injured e-scooter riders suffered trauma to the head or face; 14% had a severe head injury and 16% had a severe facial injury. Fractures of the upper limbs were more common than fractures of the lower limbs (18% versus 6%). On initial assessment in the emergency room, injured cyclists were more frequently classified as needing immediate treatment than injured e-scooter riders (7% versus 1%).
CONCLUSION
The head, face, and upper limbs are the most commonly affected parts of the body in e-scooter accidents. Compared to bicycle accidents, e-scooter accidents more commonly occur on weekends and in association with alcohol. From a medical point of view, abstaining from alcohol consumption and wearing a helmet when using an e-scooter is strongly recommended.

Identifiants

pubmed: 33879309
pii: arztebl.m2021.0019
doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0019
pmc: PMC8204371
doi:
pii:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

117-121

Références

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Auteurs

Holger Kleinertz (H)

Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; UKE Athleticum, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; Department of Trauma Surgery, Orthopedics and Sports Traumatology, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Hamburg; Department of Trauma Surgery, Orthopedics and Sports Traumatology, BG Klinikum Hamburg.

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