Retrospective multicenter study of personal mobility device-related injuries in Moscow

BACKGROUND: The use of Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) for transportation is associated with a high risk of injury, and the increase in the number of injuries is directly proportional to the growing popularity of PMDs and the number of trips taken. This situation necessitates further investigation of PMD-related injuries to develop effective prevention measures and standardized treatment protocols. Current domestic literature mostly presents fragmented data based on small sample sizes, which complicates comprehensive analysis and data systematization.

AIM: To assess the level, structure, and dynamics of injuries related to the use of Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) in the largest Russian metropolis (Moscow); to identify trends and risk factors affecting the safety of PMD operation; to initiate the systematization of clinical data on PMD-related injuries across the Russian Federation.

METHODS: A multicenter, non-randomized, retrospective, and anonymized study of injuries related to the use of Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) was conducted. The study was based on the analysis of reports and medical records of patients from five outpatient and seven inpatient departments of the Moscow City Department of Health (MCDH). The patient sample included 4,678 individuals aged 18 to 89 years, divided into two groups: the first group comprised 3,302 (70%) patients who received outpatient care or declined hospitalization; the second group included 1,376 (30%) patients who were hospitalized for round-the-clock inpatient treatment. The study employed methods of retrospective analysis, stratification, and statistical data processing.

RESULTS: Among the examined patients, 1,376 (30%) were hospitalized, with a mean age of 35 years (range 18 to 86 years). The majority of users were working-age individuals of both sexes, with no significant gender predominance. However, hospitalized patients were significantly older than outpatients (p <0.05). The gender distribution between groups showed no significant difference (p >0.05). Within the inpatient group, injuries sustained from bicycles accounted for 330 cases (24%), e-bikes for 69 cases (5%), kick scooters for 234 cases (17%), and electric scooters for 660 cases (48%). Other Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), including rollerblades, unicycles, Segways, and hoverboards, represented less than 1% of cases (83 cases). The average length of hospital stay was 4.76 days. Among outpatients, injuries related to bicycles totaled 765 cases (23%), kick scooters 667 cases (20%), and electric scooters 1,583 cases (48%). Other PMDs accounted for 287 cases (9%). Electric scooters were the leading cause of PMD-related injuries in all groups, reflecting their market dominance in kick-sharing over the past five years. In 79% of cases, injuries were associated with falls. Regarding injury patterns in the outpatient group, isolated injuries comprised 2,628 cases (79%), while multiple, combined, and complex injuries accounted for 674 cases (21%). In the inpatient group, isolated injuries totaled 1,434 cases (76%), with multiple, combined, and polytrauma injuries making up 442 cases (24%).

CONCLUSION: The study analyzed injury data related to PMD use collected from medical institutions in Moscow, identifying the injury structure by etiology, characteristics, and types of medical care provided. This research represents the first step towards systematizing clinical data on PMD-related injuries in Russia, aiming to develop optimal strategies for prevention and treatment.