TY - JOUR
T1 - Bicycle helmets work when it matters the most
AU - Joseph, Bellal
AU - Azim, Asad
AU - Haider, Ansab A.
AU - Kulvatunyou, Narong
AU - OKeeffe, Terence
AU - Hassan, Ahmed
AU - Gries, Lynn
AU - Tran, Emily
AU - Latifi, Rifat
AU - Rhee, Peter
PY - 2017/2/1
Y1 - 2017/2/1
N2 - Background Helmets are known to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) after bicycle-related accidents. The aim of this study was to assess the association of helmets with severity of TBI and facial fractures after bicycle-related accidents. Methods We performed an analysis of the 2012 National Trauma Data Bank abstracted information of all patients with an intracranial hemorrhage after bicycle-related accidents. Regression analysis was also performed. Results A total of 6,267 patients were included. About 25.1% (n = 1,573) of bicycle riders were helmeted. Overall, 52.4% (n = 3,284) of the patients had severe TBI, and the mortality rate was 2.8% (n = 176). Helmeted bicycle riders had 51% reduced odds of severe TBI (odds ratio [OR].49, 95% confidence interval [CI].43 to.55, P <.001) and 44% reduced odds of mortality (OR.56, 95% CI.34 to.78, P =.010). Helmet use also reduced the odds of facial fractures by 31% (OR.69, 95% CI.58 to.81, P <.001). Conclusion Bicycle helmet use provides protection against severe TBI, reduces facial fractures, and saves lives even after sustaining an intracranial hemorrhage.
AB - Background Helmets are known to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) after bicycle-related accidents. The aim of this study was to assess the association of helmets with severity of TBI and facial fractures after bicycle-related accidents. Methods We performed an analysis of the 2012 National Trauma Data Bank abstracted information of all patients with an intracranial hemorrhage after bicycle-related accidents. Regression analysis was also performed. Results A total of 6,267 patients were included. About 25.1% (n = 1,573) of bicycle riders were helmeted. Overall, 52.4% (n = 3,284) of the patients had severe TBI, and the mortality rate was 2.8% (n = 176). Helmeted bicycle riders had 51% reduced odds of severe TBI (odds ratio [OR].49, 95% confidence interval [CI].43 to.55, P <.001) and 44% reduced odds of mortality (OR.56, 95% CI.34 to.78, P =.010). Helmet use also reduced the odds of facial fractures by 31% (OR.69, 95% CI.58 to.81, P <.001). Conclusion Bicycle helmet use provides protection against severe TBI, reduces facial fractures, and saves lives even after sustaining an intracranial hemorrhage.
KW - Bicycle
KW - Facial fracture
KW - Head injury
KW - Helmets
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U2 - 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.05.021
DO - 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.05.021
M3 - Article
C2 - 27596799
AN - SCOPUS:84994545330
SN - 0002-9610
VL - 213
SP - 413
EP - 417
JO - American Journal of Surgery
JF - American Journal of Surgery
IS - 2
ER -