• Yongho Shin, Won Cul Cha, Hee Yoon, Sung Yeon Hwang, Tae Gun Shin, Min Seob Sim, Ik Joon Jo, and Taerim Kim.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
• J. Korean Med. Sci. 2020 Mar 9; 35 (9): e60.

BackgroundThis study described and analysed the features of powered mobility device (PMD)-related injuries and compared elderly and younger adult injuries.MethodsData from Korea Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) database involving eight emergency departments in 2011-2016 were analysed. The inclusion criteria were injuries sustained during the use of PMDs. The variables were compared between adults aged ≥ 65 years and younger adults. Primary and secondary outcomes were severe trauma and poor clinical course accordingly. The logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for study outcomes.ResultsA total of 231 adults were enrolled, of whom 150 were ≥ 65 years of age. The total number of PMD-related injuries and the proportion of elderly injured patients increased annually, and most injuries occurred on the roadway and did not involve crash opponents. By multivariate analysis, patients aged ≥ 65 years had a higher injury severity score (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-5.40) and had a higher incidence of intensive care unit admissions, surgery, and death (AOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.16-5.28).ConclusionGiven the higher number and severity of injuries sustained among elderly adults ≥ 65 years of age shown in this study, we recommend that safety educations, such as the use of protective equipment and the safe driving on the roadway, are considered for PMD users ≥ 65 years of age.© 2020 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

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