[Injuries in emergency rooms of urban areas in Mexico: prevalence and severity].

OBJECTIVE

To identify frequency and severity of injuries by type of external cause in people attending emergency services for medical attention.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study held in the cities of Guadalajara, Colima and Mexico City, from September 2007 to February 2008. All people requiring emergency medical attention due to injuries were included.

VARIABLES

sex, age, anatomical area of the injury, type of injury, external cause, type of aggressor and severity according to the abbreviated injury scale. Statistical analysis was univariate simple and multivariate.

RESULTS

26.3% of the emergency medical attention was due to injuries, with the main cause being falls (49.3%). Individuals from 15 to 44 years (55.8%) reported a higher frequency, while those over 60 years presented the most serious injuries. Associated variables to severity were interpersonal aggression (OR 6.7, IC 95% 4.20-10.69) and road traffic injuries (OR 3.00, IC 95% 1.72-5.23). Conclusions. Accidental and intentional injuries represent an important demand of emergency medical attention; with interpersonal aggression and road traffic injuries being responsible for the highest number of serious injuries.