Trauma cases in the Republic of Moldova, 2023–2024

Abstract

Background. Trauma is a major challenge in emergency care, being the third leading cause of death globally after cardiovascular disease and malignant tumors. Nearly half of traumarelated deaths occur at the scene or before patients reach the hospital, highlighting the need for rapid prehospital intervention. Objective(s). Retrospective analysis of trauma cases at the prehospital stage in the Republic of Moldova in 2023 and 2024, highlighting their distribution by location, causes, and nosological structure. Materials and methods. The study is based on a retrospective statistical analysis of the Application sheets of the National Centre of Prehospital Emergency Medicine, completed in the Republic of Moldova during the years 2023 and 2024. The data were processed to highlight relevant aspects regarding the characteristics of the reported trauma cases. Results. In 2023, 71429 trauma-related requests were recorded, and in 2024, 73706. Urban cases: 49.4% (2023), 49.5% (2024); rural – 50.6% and 50.5%. Pediatric share: 23.2% (2023), 22.7% (2024). Leading causes: habitual trauma, aggression, other, road accidents, sports, work. Locomotor injuries: 39.5% (2023), 39.7% (2024); craniocerebral – 24.5%/24.8%; soft tissue – 23.2%/22.4%; locomotor injuries: 39.5% (2023), 39.7% (2024); craniocerebral – 24.5%/24.8%; soft tissue – 23.2%/22.4%; The proportions remained similar in 2023 and 2024 for thoracic trauma (5.2%), burns (2.5%), and spinal injuries (1.1%). Other types of trauma - 4% in 2023 and 4.3% in 2024. Conclusion(s). 1. The comparative statistical analysis indicates a rise in the number of patients served in 2024. 2. Trauma cases continue to be frequent in EMS with a relatively steady distribution. 3. Locomotor system injuries, craniocerebral trauma, and soft tissue wounds remain predominant.