Arch Craniofac Surg.  2015 Dec;16(3):136-142. 10.7181/acfs.2015.16.3.136.

A Retrospective Analysis of 303 Cases of Facial Bone Fracture: Socioeconomic Status and Injury Characteristics

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. nmcps.chung@gmail.com

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The incidence and etiology of facial bone fracture differ widely according to time and geographic setting. Because of this, prevention and management of facial bone fracture requires ongoing research. This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status and the incidence of facial bone fractures in patients who had been admitted for facial bone fractures.
METHODS
A retrospective study was performed for all patients admitted for facial bone fracture at the National Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) from 2010 to 2014. We sought correlations amongst age, gender, fracture type, injury mechanism, alcohol consumption, and type of medical insurance.
RESULTS
Out of the 303 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 214 (70.6%) patients were enrolled in National Health Insurance (NHI), 46 (15.2%) patients had Medical Aid, and 43 (14.2%) patients were homeless. The main causes of facial bone fractures were accidental trauma (51.4%), physical altercation (23.1%), and traffic accident (14.2%). On Pearson's chi-square test, alcohol consumption was correlated significantly with accidental trauma (p<0.05). And, the ratio of alcohol consumption leading to facial bone fractures differed significantly in the homeless group compared to the NHI group and the Medical Aid group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
We found a significant inverse correlation between economic status and the incidence of facial bone fractures caused by alcohol consumption. Our findings indicate that more elaborate guidelines and prevention programs are needed for socioeconomically marginalized populations.

Keyword

Facial bone fracture; National Health Insurance; Homeless

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic
Alcohol Drinking
Facial Bones*
Humans
Incidence
Insurance
National Health Programs
Retrospective Studies*
Social Class*
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