Epidemiology of major work-related injuries in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: a 10-year retrospective study.

Authors

Munawar Farooq, Arif Alper Cevik, David O Alao, Fikri Abu-Zidan

Published in

BMJ open. Volume 16. Issue 8. Pages e120991. Aug 12, 2026. Epub Aug 12, 2026.

Abstract

To describe the proportion, demographic profile, mechanisms, temporal distribution, injury patterns and in-hospital outcomes of adults with major work-related trauma admitted to hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
Retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected trauma registry data.
Seven trauma-receiving hospitals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 2014 to 2023.
Adults aged 18 years or older with injuries coded as work-related in the Abu Dhabi Trauma Registry and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 12 or greater.
Proportion of adult trauma admissions with ISS≥12 that were work-related; mechanisms of injury; anatomical injury pattern; intensive care unit (ICU) use; hospital and ICU length of stay; discharge disposition; and in-hospital mortality.
Among 7019 adults with ISS≥12, 1318 (18.8%) had work-related injuries. Patients were predominantly young, with a median age of 33 years (IQR 27-42), male (98.6%) and non-local (98.8%). Falls from more than 1 meter were the leading mechanism (52.7%), followed by struck-by-object injuries (17.9%) and road traffic collisions (8.8%). Head and neck (53.1%), extremity (49.4%) and chest (48.3%) injuries were common, with a median of 2 injured body regions (IQR 2-3). Median ISS was 22 (IQR 17-29). ICU admission was required in 43.0%; median ICU length of stay was 5 days (IQR 3-12), median hospital length of stay was 8 days (IQR 3-16) and in-hospital mortality was 8.9%. Burns had the highest mortality (31.0%). 76% of all trauma patients were discharged home; however around 14% required transfer, long-term care or rehabilitation.
Major work-related trauma in Abu Dhabi occurs predominantly among young non-local men, is caused mainly by falls from height and struck-by events and places a substantial burden on trauma and critical care services. Prevention should prioritise control of high-energy workplace hazards, especially falls from height, while service planning should account for rehabilitation and longer-term recovery needs.

PMID:
42586740
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Aug 2026.

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