GUNS AND KNIVES IN NEW-MEXICO - PATTERNS OF PENETRATING TRAUMA, 1978-1993

Objective: To identify patterns of nonfatal and fatal penetrating trau ma among children and adults in New Mexico using ED and medical examin er data. Methods: The authors retrospectively sampled in 5-year interv als all victims of penetrating trauma who presented to either the stat e Level-1 trauma center or the state medical examiner from a 16-year p eriod (1978-1993). Rates of nonfatal and fatal firearm and stabbing in jury were compared for children and adults. Results: Rates of nonfatal injury were similar (firearm, 34.3 per 100,000 person-years; stabbing , 35.1). However, rates of fatal injury were significantly different ( firearm, 21.9; stabbing, 2.7; relative risk: 8.2; 95% confidence inter val: 5.4, 12.5). From 1978 to 1993, nonfatal injury rates increased fo r children (p = 0.0043) and adults (p < 0.0001), while fatal penetrati ng injury remained constant. The increase in nonfatal injury in childr en resulted from increased firearm injury rates. In adults, both stabb ing and firearm nonfatal injury rates increased. Conclusions: Nonfatal injury data suggest that nonfatal violence has increased; fatal injur y data suggest that violent death rates have remained constant. Injury patterns vary by age, mechanism of trauma, and data source. These res ults suggest that ED and medical examiner data differ and that both ar e needed to guide injury prevention programs.