Trauma recidivism in a large urban Canadian population

Background: Prevention of trauma might be achieved by risk factor modification. Identification of such risk factors can be pursued by various means. Trauma recidivists may possess and highlight risk factors. Accordingly, trauma recidivists were analyzed as a method to elucidate trauma risk factors. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 13,057 trauma patients in Toronto was conducted. Forty-two recidivists were identified, and their first admission was compared with a control group of 84 non-recidivists. Results: The rate of trauma recidivism was 0.38% overall. Trauma recidivists were more likely to be from the inner city, male, homeless, suffering from chronic medical conditions. In addition, psychiatric conditions, an alcoholism history or any alcohol at the time of injury, intentionally in-jured, or engaged in criminal activity were also significantly more common in recidivists (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Risk factors for major trauma can be identified by analyzing recidivists in a large urban Canadian population.