Helmet Use and Concussion Severity among Two-Wheel Riders: A Retro-spective Study From Karachi.

Abstract

Objectives: Motorcycles provide a cost-effective and practical means of transportation in Karachi, Pakistan and are also linked with a notably higher risk of head injury. To compare the frequency and the severity of concussions in helmeted versus non-helmeted motorcyclists.
Methodology: A retrospective descriptive study from the year 2021 to 2023 was carried out at the medico-legal section of Police surgeon office Karachi. Medical records of 600 motorcyclists (18-60 years) with concussion after RTA for medi-co-legal examination were reviewed. Riders were categorized based on helmet use. Data collected on demographics, accident details and concussion severity using Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and graded symptom checklist. Sta-tistical analysis included Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests to evaluate associations between helmet use, injury pat-tern and concussion severity.
Results: Amongst the 600 motorcyclists, the ratio of non-helmeted riders to helmeted riders were 7:1. Helmeted riders had remarkably lower concussion 5.55% in contrast to non-helmeted riders 8.79% (P<0.04). Severity analysis divulge helmeted riders solely presented with mild GCS score (13-15), while 37.5% of non-helmeted riders had severe scores <8. Symptom grading resulted in helmeted riders had only mild presentations, whereas non-helmeted riders revealed moderate 53.3% and severe 6.6% symptoms. Non-helmeted riders also exhibited higher demonstration of contusion, skull fractures and intracranial haemorrhages.
Conclusion: The lack of helmet use among motorcyclists strikingly boost the probability of concussions, severe cranial trauma and medico-legal complications. Perceived results stipulate that helmets can bring down the incidence of head injuries by up to 66.4%. Outcome of these injuries are often extended disability, which require considerable medical care, and place a substantial load on the healthcare substructure.

Keywords: Concussion, Helmet wearers, Traumatic brain injury, motorcycle accidents.