Epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of road traffic injuries in Tibet,China:a single center retrospective analysis of 2,415 cases
Li Zhiyong
Yang Dong
Long Qing
Wang Simin
Wang Yanbing
Cao Pengchong
Abstract：Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of road traffic injuries(RTIs)in Tibet,China,and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of RTIs in this region.Methods Electronic medical records of RTI inpatients admitted to the General Hospital of Xizang Mili-tary Command from Jun.2019 to Jun.2024 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Data included patient age,gender,RTI time/place/type,primary injury site,and injury severity.Results Over the past five years,2,415 RTI inpatients were included.(1)The working-age population(15-64 years)accounted for 2,227 cases(92.21%),while the elderly had the highest RTI mortality rate(14.0%,P<0.05 compared with other age groups of<5%).The male-to-female ratio was 2.6∶1 among the injured and 4.8∶1 among the dead.Individuals rapidly ascending to high-altitude regions(<1 month)had a higher RTI mortality rate(4.83%vs.3.95%for indigenous inhabitants and 1.8%for adaptive inhabitants).RTIs predominantly involved small passenger vehicles,pedestrians,electric bikes,and motorcycles,with motorcycle riders exhibiting the highest mortality rate(10.00%).(2)The overall inci-dence of RTIs showed a declining trend over the past five years.July had the highest number of RTI cases,while fatalities peaked from June to August.High-incidence periods were 9∶01-14∶00 and 15∶01-21∶00,with the highest fatalities occurring between 20∶01-21∶00.(3)Lhasa had the highest number of RTI cases,while Nyingchi had the highest RTI mortality rate.(4)The most common accident types were motor vehicle-pedestrian collisions and motor vehicle-non-motor vehicle collisions,with motor vehicle-pedestrian collisions having the highest mortality rate.(5)The most frequently injured body regions were the extremities and chest.Polytrauma and traumatic brain injuries(TBIs)were associated with higher mortality rates.Among polytrauma fatalities,TBI was the leading cause of death(47 cases,72.30%).(6)Ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that the following factors significantly in-creased the risk of RTI severity by 1 grade(P<0.05):advanced age,male gender,rapid ascent to high altitude(vs.indigenous inhabitants),prolonged prehospital time(time from injury to hospitalization),RTI occurrence in August(vs.March,April,July,and September)or between 20∶01-21∶00(vs.08∶01-10∶00,11∶01-14∶00,15∶01-20∶00,or 21∶01-22∶00),RTI occurrence in Shigatse City(vs.Lhasa City),motorcycle riders(vs.pedestrians,small passen-ger vehicle drivers,or passengers),motor vehicle-pedestrian collisions(vs.motor vehicle-non-motor vehicle colli-sions,non-motor vehicle collisions with objects,or non-motor vehicle rollovers/falls),and polytrauma(vs.brain,cer-vical spine,thoracolumbar spine,chest,abdomen,pelvis,or extremity trauma),all had statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion RTIs in the Tibet region exhibit distinct demographic,temporal,and spatial patterns.The in-jury severity is closely associated with the accident type,injury site,and prehospital/hospital rescue effectiveness.Developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies based on the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of RTIs in this area is an urgent priority.
Keywords：Road traffic injuriesEpidemiologyInfluencing factorsTibet region
Publication Date：2025-07-15
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：8( 532-539 )