|
Abstract
|
Introduction: There is currently concern that injuries and deaths caused by firearms is increasing. This is supported by Home Office data.1 Despite a few small, local studies that also demonstrate an upward trend, affecting largely young, black males and a link to urbanisation, there has been little UK civilian research in this area.[2], [3] and [4] Even less is known about deaths from firearms. Such information will allow instigation of injury prevention programmes.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of firearm injuries on a trauma registry (1990–2007). Information was collected regarding incidence and epidemiology of those involved. The UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) provided data on all deaths by firearm during the same period.
Results: Of 237,781 registry cases, 656 (0.28%) were due to firearm injury. There were 615 males and 36 females with a median age of 28 and 36.9 years, respectively. Median male Injury Severity Score was 10 with a mortality of 12.7% compared to 15 and 16.1% for females. The highest proportion of injuries was submitted from London (0.87%), with the South West (0.11%) submitting the least. 94% resided in urban areas, 73% presented ‘out of hours’ and 94% were alleged assaults. As a proportion of all injuries submitted a five-fold increase was demonstrated. In contrast, ONS data showed the greatest number of deaths were self-inflicted (2032) rather than assaults (511), the South West having the highest number of such deaths compared to London. An older male group was predominately involved. A relationship with firearm certificates is noted.
Discussion: The incidence of injury and death due to firearms is low but increasing. The majority of injuries are assaults affecting predominately young males living in urban areas. However, of all deaths, self-inflicted wounds are four times more common than assaults, affecting predominately older males living in rural areas.
Keywords: Firearm; Gun; Death; Injury |