Effect of Ramadan on Patient Presentation to the Emergency Department due to Orthopedic Trauma

Masarwa R1, Yonai Y1, Merav BN2*, Steinfeld Y1 and Berkovich Y1,3

1Department of Orthopedics B, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
2Pat Matthews School of Nursing, Hillel Yaffe Medical Centre, Hadera, Israel
3Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel

^*Correspondance to: Merav Ben Natan 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3612

Abstract

Objective: Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims and is characterized by lengthy fasting. While Ramadan has been found associated with increased ED use, there is a paucity of research regarding its effect on ED patient presentation due to an orthopedic trauma. This study aimed to examine differences in the characteristics of patients who present to the ED with orthopedic trauma during the month of Ramadan, compared to a non-Ramadan month. Design Settings and Participants: This retrospective comparative study included patients who presented to the ED of a hospital in Israel with orthopedic trauma in the month of Ramadan (n=508) and in the control period of March 2022 (n=765), those groups were compared. For statistical analysis, the X2, t-test for independent samples and Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis were used. Results: Patients who presented in the month of Ramadan were on average older (44.75 ± 23.13 vs. 39.45 ± 19.65), more likely to be female (85.6% vs. 42.5%), more likely to be Muslim citizens of Israel (55.7% vs. 39.3%), and more likely to present with trauma due to a fall (31.1% vs. 12.9%), than patients who presented in a non-Ramadan month. Older age, Ramadan, being Muslim citizens of Israel and female, increase the likelihood that the patient will present with a trauma following a fall. Conclusion: During Ramadan, hospital EDs should anticipate and be prepared for an increased influx of Muslim patients with orthopedic trauma, and particularly trauma due a fall. Efforts should be made to prevent falls among Muslims during Ramadan.

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Cite the article

Masarwa R, Yonai Y, Merav BN, Steinfeld Y, Berkovich Y. Effect of Ramadan on Patient Presentation to the Emergency Department due to Orthopedic Trauma. Clin Surg. 2023; 8: 3612..