Table 6.

Epidemiological studies from the UK and Ireland- injuries in the general population

Author and date	Type of study/data source	Population (denominator)/size	Level of severity	Epidemiological observation	Major findings	Epidemiological shortcomings
Lyons et al., 2003 [60]	descriptive study/Patient Episode Database for Wales	general population/2.84 million Wales	hospitalization	proportions by age, type, cause; crude and world standardised rates by age, cause, deprivation category (Townsend score), hospitalisation ratios	1997–1999 1493/100,000 (world) standard admission rate; socioeconomic gradients in children and older people for pedestrian assault related injuries	No information on severity of injury
McKee et al., 1990 [62]	descriptive study/Hospital A&E data	sample of general population – one rural area Northern Ireland	A&E	rates; regression (A&E attendance – distance travelled, socio-economic variables)	1986 22000/100,000 attendance rate association of injury with travel distance to A&E (r = -0.73); no association with deprivation or practice characteristics	Extrapolation of results less likely, one geographical region
McNicholl & Cooke, 1995 [63]	descriptive study/Northern Ireland hospitals records	general population/1 million Northern Ireland	hospitalization	proportions and rates by age, gender, cause, diagnosis, process of care (surgical procedures), outcome (death, persistent vegetative state, severe/moderate disability, good recovery)	1990/1991 23.2/100,000 incidence rate overall/20.5/100,000 excluding terrorist activities (injuries ISS >15)	1 year only study, only injuries ISS>15 (excludes pre-hospital deaths)
Boland et al., 2005 [68]	descriptive study/Central Office Statistics; Hospital In Patient Enquire data	general population Republic of Ireland	deaths, hospitalization	proportions, standardised mortality and admission ratios by cause, age, gender, urban vs. rural	1980–2000/1993–2000 unintentional injuries Standardized mortality/admission ratios (rural) 103.0/104.6	No information on severity
Scallan et al., 2004 [67]	descriptive study/Central Statistics Office; Hospital In Patient Enquire	general population Ireland	deaths, hospitalization	proportions and rates by cause, type	Highlights the importance of using morbidity (1993–1997, 1239.9/100,000) & mortality (1980–1996, 31.6/100,000) data on a complementary way; 1:39 deaths: hospital admissions ratio	Morbidity and mortality data cover different time periods; unintentional injuries