Background The COVID‐19 pandemic demanded changes in societal behavior and health care worldwide. Previous studies have compared trauma patient admissions in COVID‐19‐related lockdowns to prior years. This study describes the COVID‐19 impact on trauma patient admissions during entire 2020 at a major trauma center in Denmark. Methods We retrospectively analyzed trauma patients received by a trauma team and admitted at Aarhus University Hospital in 2020 compared with 2018–2019. The incidence of injuries, mechanism of injury, 30‐day mortality, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were investigated. Results The incidence of minor injuries (ISS 1–15) increased by 24% in 2020 compared with 2018–2019 (incidence rate ratio 1.24 [95% CI: 1.11–1.39]). The incidence of severe injuries (ISS >15) in 2020 did not change compared with 2018–2019 (incidence rate ratio 0.97 [95% CI: 0.80–1.17]). The 30‐day mortality was similar in 2020 compared with 2018–2019. Comparing 2020 with 2018–2019, the risk ratio of traffic injuries decreased (0.90 [95% CI: 0.82–0.99]), risk ratio for fall injuries was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.97–1.30), for violence 1.13 (95% CI: 0.51–2.50), and for self‐harm 1.94 (95% CI: 0.95–3.94). During the first lockdown of 2020, trauma team activations declined from 49.5 to 42 and the risk ratio for traffic injuries was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.50–1.10) compared with the same period in 2018–2019. Conclusion The incidence of minor injuries increased, but the incidence of severe injuries was similar in 2020 compared with 2018–2019. Societal restrictions might alter the mechanism of injuries. The first lockdown indicated an association with reduced traffic injuries.

Background: Trauma causes a considerable economic and societal burden and the trauma patient population and its prognosis changes over time. The aim of this study is to analyze ten-year trends of trauma patients at a major trauma center in Denmark. Methods: 5366 patients aged ≥ 16 years with Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 0 admitted by trauma team activation at Aarhus University Hospital Trauma Center between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019 were included. Descriptive statistics, incidence rate calculation, parametric and non-parametric test were used. An annual percent change with 95% confidence interval was used to estimate trend in mechanism of injuries. Multiple logistic regression with mortality as outcome were adjusted for age, sex and ISS. Results: The median age increased from 37 in 2010 to 49 in 2019 and the proportion of patients aged ≥ 65 doubled. The incidence of minor injuries (ISS 1-15) decreased from 181.3/105 inhabitants in 2010 to 112.7/105 in 2019 corresponding to an incidence rate ratio between 2019 and 2010 of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.72). Severe injuries (ISS > 15) increased from 10.1/105 inhabitants in 2010 to 13.6/105 in 2019 corresponding to an incidence rate ratio between 2019 and 2010 of 1.35 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.76). The proportion of patients with ISS > 15 increased from 18.1% in 2010 to 31.1% in 2019. Multivariable logistic regression showed lower 30-day mortality for all trauma patients with ISS > 0 over the study period when adjusting for age, sex and ISS (Odds ratio: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90 to 0.99). The 30-day mortality for severely injured patients with ISS > 15 decreased during the study period when adjusting for age, sex and ISS (Odds ratio: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87 to 0.97). Fall injuries increased with an annual percent change of 4.1% (95% CI: 2.3% to 6.1%). Conclusions: Ten-year trends of trauma patients in Central Denmark Region show an increasing median age, injury severity and number of fall injuries. The 30-day mortality of trauma patients decreased for both minor injuries and severe injuries when adjusting for age, sex and injury severity. Trial registration: Not applicable.

Background Trauma causes significant economic and societal burdens, and the trauma patient population and their prognosis change over time. This study aims to analyze 10‐year trends of trauma patients at a major trauma center in Central Denmark Region. Methods Five thousand three hundred and sixty‐six patients aged ≥16 years with Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 0 admitted by trauma team activation at a major trauma center between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019, were included. An annual percent change with a 95% confidence interval was used to estimate trends in the mechanism of injuries. Multiple logistic regression with mortality as the outcome was adjusted for age, sex, and ISS. Admission year was used as continuous variable in logistic regressions. Results The median age increased from 37 in 2010 to 49 in 2019, and the proportion of patients aged ≥65 doubled. The annual incidence of minor injuries (ISS 1–15) decreased from 181.3/105 inhabitants in 2010 to 112.7/105 in 2019. Severe injuries (ISS > 15) increased from 10.1/105 inhabitants in 2010 to 13.6/105 in 2019. The proportion of patients with ISS > 15 increased from 18.1% in 2010 to 31.1% in 2019. Multivariable logistic regression indicates lower 30‐day mortality for all trauma patients over the study period when adjusting for age, sex, and ISS (odds ratio: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.99). The 30‐day mortality for severely injured patients with ISS > 15 seems to decrease during the study period when adjusting for age, sex, and ISS (Odds ratio: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87–0.97). Fall injuries increased by 4.1% annually (95% CI: 2.3%–6.1%). Conclusions Ten‐year trends of trauma patients at a major trauma center show an increasing median age, injury severity, and number of fall injuries. The 30‐day mortality of trauma patients decreased slightly for both minor injuries and severe injuries when adjusting for age, sex, and injury severity.