Effect of using helmet on trauma severity and admission outcome in motorcycle riders

Abstract

Trauma has increasingly been considered as an important cause of death and disability in developed and developing countries. Regarding motorcycle trauma, there are several prognostic models for rapid clinical decision making and mortality estimation. As a result, the aim of the present study is to evaluate NTS and GAP used in predicting patient survival. Methods: The present study is a prospective descriptive study that is performed on 1000 patients with motorcycle trauma who referred to the emergency department of Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz, a trauma referral center in the northwest of the country, West Azerbaijan province in 1398-1397. Initially, demographic characteristics and helmet use in motorcyclists or occupants were recorded. Patients’ register including length of hospital stay and mortality as well as patients' symptoms were recorded according to BP_PR_GCS. The location of the patient's injury and the severity of the trauma were recorded based on GAP. Finally, patients were divided into two groups of users and non-users of helmets, and the outcome was analysed. For evaluations related to each of the scoring systems, GAP and NTS was carried out. Patient information including location of trauma, sex, age, GCS, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, trauma mechanism, sato2, patient were recorded. GAP and NTS scores were calculated and their relationship with patient mortality was assessed. Results: In the GAP model, in determining the survival rate of patients, the cut-off point value of 18.5 with the level below the ROC diagram (0.94 with a confidence interval of 0.99-0.89) with a sensitivity of 0.95% and a specificity of 0.95 was obtained. In the study of NTS model in determining the survival rate of patients, the cut point value was 16.5 with the level below the chart (0.95 with a confidence interval of 0.99-0.90) and with a sensitivity of 0.95 and specificity of 0.95.