Injury mortality in Sweden; changes over time and the effect of age and injury mechanism

Background: Injuries are one of the most common causes of death in the world. Varying types of injuries dominate in different parts of the world, which also have separate influences mortality. In Scandinavia blunt injuries dominates and the majority of those who die do so pre hospital. Over time different injury pattern may vary and by analyzing this we can assess when, where and how preventive work can be reinforced. The aim of this thesis was to study injury epidemiology in Sweden and assess the contribution of different injury patters on mortality. Method: We used the Swedish cause of death and the national patient registries which have a complete national coverage. ICISS was calculated (based on ICD-10) in the in hospital population. We have chosen to do this investigation with a broad perspective using the term injury, which includes trauma but also other diagnoses like suffocation and drowning. Results: During the study period (1999-2012) the number of deaths because of injury was 1213, 25 388, and 18 332 among children, working age and elderly, respectively. Mortality declined in the children and in the working age but inclined in the elderly. Mortality increased with each age group except between the ages of 15–25 and 26–35 years. One thousand two hundred sixty four (97%) of those who died because of penetrating trauma (sharp objects and firearms) were killed by intentional trauma (assault and intentional self-harm). One thousand and seventeen (83%) of the children died prehospital. In the working age 22 211 (80%) of 25 388 died pre hospital. Nine thousand six hundred and eighteen (53%) of 18 332 of the elderly died prehospital. During 2001- 2011 the risk adjusted in hospital mortality decreased in traffic and assault but not in fall related injuries. Discussion: Largely, the anticipated injury mortality picture was found, with blunt injuries (traffic accidents) dominating in the working age and falls in elderly. Further a significant portion of the deaths occurred pre hospital. The intentional injuries are dominated by intentional selfharm. The decrease in child injury mortality is notable as Sweden already has one of the lowest incidences in child injury mortality in the world. The decrease in injury mortality in the working age also implies that preventive work has had an effect. The incline in injury mortality in elderly on the other hand needs to be further studied. Areas of particular importance for future preventive work is the incline in in