Lower extremity fractures in motor vehicle collisions: the role of driver gender and height

Accid Anal Prev. 1995 Aug;27(4):601-6. doi: 10.1016/0001-4575(95)00002-h.

Abstract

In a previous study it was noted that there was a higher incidence of lower-extremity fractures among women drivers. Analyses were based on a linkage between trauma registry and police crash report data. The present study addresses the issue of whether the differences noted are attributed to driver gender or are merely a reflection of differences in driver height. An inverse association was noted between driver height and the incidence of lower-extremity fractures. Those shorter than average (5'7") for this population had a 64% increase in lower-extremity fracture, which can be mainly attributed to ankle/tarsal injuries. Thus, the incidence of these injuries appears to be a function of driver height, with an increase among shorter drivers, most of whom are women.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Baltimore / epidemiology
  • Body Height*
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Bone / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Leg Injuries / epidemiology
  • Leg Injuries / etiology*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Population Surveillance
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Sex Distribution