National Prevalence and Associated Outcomes of Substance Use in Scooter-Related Trauma

Abstract

Introduction

Electric scooters have rapidly gained popularity as a sustainable mode of transportation, but this rise has coincided with an increase in scooter-related injuries (SRI) and associated health care costs. Despite growing evidence of adverse outcomes, the role of substance use (SU) in SRI remains underexplored.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study utilizing the 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample. Patients aged 18-64 for SRI were identified and stratified by age groups: 18-25, 26-40, and 41-64 years. SU consisted of alcohol, opioid, marijuana and cocaine use. The primary outcome of the study was temporal trends in SU among patients hospitalized with SRI. In-hospital mortality, traumatic brain injury (TBI), length of stay (LOS), hospitalization costs and non-home discharge rates were secondarily assessed. Multivariable regression models were developed to evaluate the association between SU and outcomes of interest.

Result

Of 7350 patients admitted for SRI, 24.8% had SU. SRI hospitalizations increased from 330 cases in 2016 to 2705 in 2021 (P < 0.001). SU patients had higher odds of TBI (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.26-2.91) and perioperative complications (AOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.07-3.67) but similar mortality rates and LOS compared to non-SU patients. SU was associated with increased hospitalization costs by $4600 (95% CI $300-$8800).

Conclusion

Our findings showed a rising prevalence of SU among SRI patients as well as an increased risk of TBI and resource utilization. Public health strategies, including helmet mandates, substance use prevention, and infrastructure improvements, are critical to mitigating these risks and alleviating the burden on the trauma care system.