Craniofacial fractures sustained under the influence of alcohol: what are the differences between the sexes?

Authors

  • Hanna Thorén Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
  • Klaus Virtanen Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
  • Erkka Oksanen Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • Miika Toivari Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • Auli Suominen Department of Community Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
  • Tero Puolakkainen Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • Johanna Snäll Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/aos.v83.41381

Keywords:

Facial fracture, trauma, alcohol, intoxication

Abstract

Objective: To identify mechanisms and types of injuries in patients having sustained craniofacial fractures under the influence of alcohol, and to compare the frequencies of them between males and females.

Materials and methods: Patients included were adults who had been diagnosed with craniofacial fractures at Töölö Hospital Emergency Department, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, and who had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of injury. The primary outcome variables were assault-related and fall-related injury mechanisms. The secondary outcome variables were other injury mechanisms, time of accident, type of craniofacial fracture and severity of facial fracture. The primary predictor variable was sex. The control variable was age at the time of injury. The statistical modelling was executed using logistic regression.

Results: Of the total of 2,859 patients with craniofacial fractures, 1,014 patients (35.5%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Males predominated (84.6%). Assault (38.0%) was the most frequent aetiology. Compared to the odds of females, males had 2.8 times greater odds for assault, 2.4 times greater odds for isolated cranial fracture and 1.7 times greater odds for a facial injury severity score of ≥ 3. Females had 2.0 times greater odds for any fall compared to the odds of males.

Conclusions: Particularly male patients are frequently under the influence of alcohol at the time of injury, predisposing them to assault and severe facial fractures more often than females. Codes of practice on how to identify unhealthy alcohol use and how to intervene are recommended.

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Published

2024-09-09

Issue

Vol. 83: (2024) Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

Section

Research article

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Copyright (c) 2024 Hanna Thorén, Klaus Virtanen, Erkka Oksanen, Miika Toivari, Auli Suominen, Tero Puolakkainen, Johanna Snäll

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.