Epidemiology of Sport and Active Recreation Injuries Presenting to a Tertiary Emergency Department in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Background: Sport and recreational activities are becoming popular worldwide. This is attributed to the increase in public awareness about the benefits of physical activity. Furthermore, the availability of fitness facilities has increased in recent years. With such change in daily activities comes an increase in sport-related injuries presenting to emergency departments. There is a lack of data regarding the epidemiology of sport related injuries and their burden on emergency departments in the sultanate of Oman. Aims: This study aims to provide a scientific perspective on the epidemiology and burden of sports and recreation related injuries in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of all sports and recreation related injuries presented to the emergency department of the national trauma Center in the Sultanate of Oman between Jan 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2016. Data was extracted from the electronic medical system used at the national trauma center. Demographics, clinical and management details were extracted. Data was recorded in EXCEL Software and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: A total of 1015 patients were identified to have presented to the national trauma Center during the study period with sport and recreation related injuries. Young men in the second and third decade of life were the most prevalent population affected by sport injuries (mean age 24 SD+- 8). The rate of emergency department visits due to sport-related injuries was higher in November 14.9% (n=151) and June 10.5% (n=107). Football related injuries are the most common among different sports 59% (n=594), followed by weight lifting related injuries 2% (n=22). Knee, ankle and foot are the most commonly injured which constitute 18.8%, 17.6%, 17.3% respectively. 95.5% of cases were treated non-operatively. A significant number of patients who were discharged from the ED were treated conservatively 76.9% (n747) p-value <0.001, whereas 58.5% (n=24) p-value <0.001of those who got admitted underwent emergent surgeries. Conclusion: Sports and recreation related injuries are common in our community. Although most of these injuries are not of a serious nature, most of the injured individuals seek medical care at the emergency department leading to unnecessary crowding and inappropriate utilization of the health system. Increasing public awareness about sport related injuries and the preventive methods when practicing sports and recreational activities is necessary.