Most of the cyclists injured in road traffic accidents suffer only minor injuries according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). At the Odense University Hospital only two percent of the injured cyclists treated in the emergency room had lesions with Maximum AIS (MAIS) three or larger. The AIS system was designed as a predictor of mortality and the value of the MAIS grading of cyclist's minor injuries is uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine whether the AIS score gives information about the sequelae following cyclists often minor injuries. During a two year period all injured cyclists aged 20-59 years were asked if they had sequelae following the accident. The cyclists were divided in three groups (MAIS 1, MAIS 2 and MAIS greater than or equal to 3) according to severity of lesions sustained. It was found that the self reported sequelae were significantly different for the three groups of cyclists. The conclusion is that the AIS system is a useful tool in describing bicyclists minor injuries. (A)
Abstract