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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Firearm-related hospitalizations are a major burden to the current healthcare infrastructure. We examined the trends in the incidence and case-fatality rates of firearm-related hospitalizations over the past decade. We also hypothesized that major national economic perturbations would be partly responsible and correlate temporally with national firearm-related hospitalization trends.
METHODS: We used the 2001-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample for analysis. Firearm-related hospitalizations were identified using ICD-9 codes. In addition, we examined the relationship between the United States stock market performance (Dow Jones Industrial Average) and the annual firearm-related hospitalization incidence rates.
RESULTS: In the last decade, there has been a modest decline in firearm-related hospitalizations interrupted by spikes in the annual incidence that closely corresponded to periods of national economic instability. In addition, the overall case-fatality rate following firearm-related hospitalization has been stable at ∼8%; the highest rates being present among those who attempted suicide using firearms. Also, there has been an increase in the prevalence of mental health disorders among individuals admitted with firearm-related injuries. Moreover, there was an increase in the length of stay and the cost/charges associated with the hospitalization over the last decade.
CONCLUSION: Over 2001-2011, the national incidence of firearm-related hospitalizations has closely tracked the national stock market performance, suggesting that economic perturbations and resultant insecurities might underlie the perpetuation of firearm-related injuries. Although the case-fatality rates have remained stable, the length of stay and hospitalization costs have increased imposing additional burden on existing healthcare resources.
Language: en |