Abstract
Aim: This study aims to contribute to the literature by examining the demographic characteristics of cases presenting to the hospital due to dog bites, the anatomical locations of the wounds, rabies prophylaxis, and whether they were evaluated as forensic cases.
Materials and Methods: During a three-year period, the epicrisis reports of patients admitted to Şanlıurfa Harran University Hospital with diagnosis codes for dog bites or strikes according to ICD-10 were retrospectively reviewed along with records in the fonet system.
Results: The average age of the 297 cases in our study was 17.15±14.82. Among the cases, 76.1% were male, 66.0% were children under 18 years old. The highest number of admissions occurred in the fall season with 90 cases (30.3%) and December had the highest number of cases with 46 (15.5%). The most frequently injured body part was the hands (21.5%). Rabies vaccination was administered to 287 cases (96.6%), it was observed that a judicial report was prepared for 22 of 297 cases (7.4%).
Conclusion: Dog bites remain a significant public health issue in our country. Physicians encounter a considerable number of dog bite cases during hospital admissions. Institutional training is necessary for both medical and forensic evaluations of dog bites.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
This retrospective study was carried out with the permission of the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Harran University Rectorate (decision number: 2024/05/01, dated: April 29, 2024). Our study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Supporting Institution
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
References
- Khan UR, Soomar SM, Ghazi SM, Naeem R, Kerai S, Jamali S. Epidemiological Pattern and Management of Dog Bite Injuries in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study. Injury. 2023;54 Suppl 4:110473. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2022.11.016
- Morzycki A, Simpson A, Williams J. Dog Bites in The Emergency Department: A Descriptive Analysis. CJEM. 2019;21(1):63-70. doi:10.1017/cem.2018.2
- Ramgopal S, Macy ML. US Estimates for Dog Bite Injuries Presenting to Emergency Departments. Public Health. 2021;196:1-3. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2021.04.028
- Kara SS, Delice O. Evaluation of Pediatric Patients with Animal Bite and Rabies Risk Contact. Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences. April 2018;8(1):13-19. doi:10.5505/kjms.2018.08860.
- Rabies Prophylaxis Guide, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, Department of Zoonotic and Vector Diseases, Ankara, 2019
- Kırışık F, Öztürk K. From Violence News to Animal Rights, Stray Dog Problem. Dumlupınar University Journal of Social Sciences. July 2021;(69):360-388. doi:10.51290/dpusbe.946017.
- Aydoğdu M, Meral O. Controlling the Population of Stray Dogs and Creating the Related Legal Infrastructure. Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Law Journal, 2019;21(2), 2129-59.
- Unal V, Unal E, Cetinkaya Z, et al. Disability due to animal related injuries: three case reports. J For Med 2015;29(2):124-30. doi:10.5505/adlitip.2015.41636
- Park JW, Kim DK, Jung JY, et al. Dog-bite injuries in Korea and risk factors for significant dog-bite injuries: A 6-year cross-sectional study. PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0210541. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0210541.
- Vural T, Erbaş M, Karaca BI. Medical and Legal Evaluation of İnjuries Due To Dog Bites: A Türkiye Study. National Trauma Emergency Surgery Journal. 2024;30(1):43-49.
- Bıçakçı S, Bıçakçı N, Şahin H, et al. One Year Retrospective Review of Forensic Reports Reported in the Emergency Department. Namık Kemal Med J. 2024 Jun;12(2):115-121. doi:10.4274/nkmj.galenos.2024.72324.
- Karakaş A, İlhan H, Turhan V. Animal and human bites: prophylaxis and treatment approach. Turkish Journal of Hygiene and Experimental Biology, 2010; 67(3): 153-160.
- Saka N, Toprak D. Evaluation of the Last Decade Studies on Approach to Non-Emergency Forensic Patients in Primary Health Care. Eurasian Journal of Family Medicine. 2019;127-129.
- Turkish Penal Code, Official Gazette No. 25611 dated 12/10/2004. Retrieved from: https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuatmetin/1.5.5237.pdf, (access date: 25.09.2024)
- Turkish Code of Obligations, Official Gazette No. 27836 dated 04/02/2011. Access: https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuatmetin/1.5.6098.pdf (access date:25.09.2024)
- Aslan F, Timur S, Teke H, Kurt Z. Forensic Medical Evaluation of a Girl Who Was Seriously Injured in a Pitbull Dog Attack: A Case Report. Bulletin of Legal Medicine. 2022;27(1):107-111.
- Derinöz O, Akar T. Animal Bite Cases Presenting to a University Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department. J Pediatr Emerg Intensive Care Med. 2017;4(1):22-26.
- Yılmaz S, Delice O, Yılmaz Sİ. Epidemiological Characteristics, Seasonality, Trends of Dog Bite İnjuries and Relationship With Meteorological Data. Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine, 2023;30(2), 229-234
- Söğüt Ö, Sayhan MB, Gökdemir MT, Kara HP. A Preventable Public Health Problem in Southeastern Turkey: Rabies Risky Contact Cases. JAEM, 2011;1(10), 14-7.
- Temiz H, Akkoç H. Evaluation of 809 Cases Applied to Diyarbakir State Hospital Rabies Vaccination Center. Dicle Medical Journal, 2008;35(3), 181-184.
- Loder RT. The Demographics of Dog Bites in The United States. Heliyon. 2019;5(3):e01360. Published 2019 Mar 20. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01360.
- Balin ŞÖ, Denk A. Evaluation of Rabies Risk Contact Notifications. Fırat Medical Journal, 2016; 21(3).
- McGuire C, Morzycki A, Simpson A, Williams J, Bezuhly M. Dog Bites in Children: A Descriptive Analysis. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2018;26(4):256-262. doi:10.1177/2292550318767924.
- Can FK, Tekin E, Sezen S, Clutter P. Assessment of rabies prophylaxis cases in an emergency service. Journal of Emergency Nursing. 2020; 46(6), 907-913.
- Cesur M, Olgun N. Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Patients Applying to Hospital with Complaints of Rabies Suspected Animal Attack. Acıbadem University Journal of Health Sciences, 2014; (2), 135-140.
- Ellis R, Ellis C. Dog and Cat Bites. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(4):239-243.
- Kadıoğlu E, Uyar C, Özmen A. Detailed Analysis of Rabies Suspected Contact Cases After Emergency Service Application: Dumlupınar University Medical Faculty Evliya Çelebi Hospital Experience. J Contemp Med, 2017;7(4), 323-328.
- Joshua IA, Bello M, Adeiza A, Danbirni S. Analysis of 4-Year Dog-Bite Cases Treated at Ahmadu Bello University Health Centre, Zaria, Nigeria. TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 2012;11(6).
- Gündüz T, Elçioğlu Ö, Balcı Y. Evaluation of Dog and Cat Bites in a Five-Year Period: A Case Study from Eskişehir. National Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, 2011;17(2), 133-140.
Bir üniversite hastanesine başvuran köpek ısırığına bağlı yaralanma olgularının adli tıbbi açıdan değerlendirilmesi
Abstract
Amaç: Köpek ısırıkları nedeniyle hastaneye başvuran olgularının demografik özellikleri, yaraların anatomik lokazisyonları, kuduz profilaksisi, adli olgu olarak değerlendirilip değerlendirilmediği incelenerek literatüre katkı sağlanması amaçlanmıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: 3 yıllık dönemde Şanlıurfa Harran Üniversitesi Hastanesi’ne başvuran hastaların, ICD-10’a göre köpek tarafından ısırılma veya darbelenme tanı kodu ile fonet sisteminde yer alan kayıtlar ile birlikte düzenlenen epikriz raporları retrospektif olarak incelendi.
Bulgular: Çalışmamızda 297 olgunun yaş ortalaması 17,15±14,82 idi. Olguların %76,1’i erkek ve %66,0’sı 18 yaş altı çocuklardı. Başvurular 90(%30,3) vaka ile en çok sonbahar mevsiminde, 46(%15,5) vaka ile en çok aralık ayında görüldü. Olguların en sık yaralandığı vücut bölgesi eller (%21,5) idi. Olguların 287’sine (%96,6) kuduz aşısı yapıldığı, 297 olgunun 22’sine(%7,4) adli rapor düzenlendiği gözlendi.
Sonuç: Köpek ısırıkları ülkemizde hala önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Hekimler hastane başvurularında azımsanamayacak kadar köpek ısırıkları vakaları ile karşılaşmaktadır. Köpek ısırıklarının hem tıbbi hem adli olarak değerlendirilmesi için kurum içi eğitimlerin verilmesi gerekmektedir
Keywords
Ethical Statement
This retrospective study was carried out with the permission of the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Harran University Rectorate (decision number: 2024/05/01, dated: April 29, 2024). Our study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Supporting Institution
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
References
- Khan UR, Soomar SM, Ghazi SM, Naeem R, Kerai S, Jamali S. Epidemiological Pattern and Management of Dog Bite Injuries in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study. Injury. 2023;54 Suppl 4:110473. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2022.11.016
- Morzycki A, Simpson A, Williams J. Dog Bites in The Emergency Department: A Descriptive Analysis. CJEM. 2019;21(1):63-70. doi:10.1017/cem.2018.2
- Ramgopal S, Macy ML. US Estimates for Dog Bite Injuries Presenting to Emergency Departments. Public Health. 2021;196:1-3. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2021.04.028
- Kara SS, Delice O. Evaluation of Pediatric Patients with Animal Bite and Rabies Risk Contact. Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences. April 2018;8(1):13-19. doi:10.5505/kjms.2018.08860.
- Rabies Prophylaxis Guide, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, Department of Zoonotic and Vector Diseases, Ankara, 2019
- Kırışık F, Öztürk K. From Violence News to Animal Rights, Stray Dog Problem. Dumlupınar University Journal of Social Sciences. July 2021;(69):360-388. doi:10.51290/dpusbe.946017.
- Aydoğdu M, Meral O. Controlling the Population of Stray Dogs and Creating the Related Legal Infrastructure. Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Law Journal, 2019;21(2), 2129-59.
- Unal V, Unal E, Cetinkaya Z, et al. Disability due to animal related injuries: three case reports. J For Med 2015;29(2):124-30. doi:10.5505/adlitip.2015.41636
- Park JW, Kim DK, Jung JY, et al. Dog-bite injuries in Korea and risk factors for significant dog-bite injuries: A 6-year cross-sectional study. PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0210541. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0210541.
- Vural T, Erbaş M, Karaca BI. Medical and Legal Evaluation of İnjuries Due To Dog Bites: A Türkiye Study. National Trauma Emergency Surgery Journal. 2024;30(1):43-49.
- Bıçakçı S, Bıçakçı N, Şahin H, et al. One Year Retrospective Review of Forensic Reports Reported in the Emergency Department. Namık Kemal Med J. 2024 Jun;12(2):115-121. doi:10.4274/nkmj.galenos.2024.72324.
- Karakaş A, İlhan H, Turhan V. Animal and human bites: prophylaxis and treatment approach. Turkish Journal of Hygiene and Experimental Biology, 2010; 67(3): 153-160.
- Saka N, Toprak D. Evaluation of the Last Decade Studies on Approach to Non-Emergency Forensic Patients in Primary Health Care. Eurasian Journal of Family Medicine. 2019;127-129.
- Turkish Penal Code, Official Gazette No. 25611 dated 12/10/2004. Retrieved from: https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuatmetin/1.5.5237.pdf, (access date: 25.09.2024)
- Turkish Code of Obligations, Official Gazette No. 27836 dated 04/02/2011. Access: https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuatmetin/1.5.6098.pdf (access date:25.09.2024)
- Aslan F, Timur S, Teke H, Kurt Z. Forensic Medical Evaluation of a Girl Who Was Seriously Injured in a Pitbull Dog Attack: A Case Report. Bulletin of Legal Medicine. 2022;27(1):107-111.
- Derinöz O, Akar T. Animal Bite Cases Presenting to a University Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department. J Pediatr Emerg Intensive Care Med. 2017;4(1):22-26.
- Yılmaz S, Delice O, Yılmaz Sİ. Epidemiological Characteristics, Seasonality, Trends of Dog Bite İnjuries and Relationship With Meteorological Data. Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine, 2023;30(2), 229-234
- Söğüt Ö, Sayhan MB, Gökdemir MT, Kara HP. A Preventable Public Health Problem in Southeastern Turkey: Rabies Risky Contact Cases. JAEM, 2011;1(10), 14-7.
- Temiz H, Akkoç H. Evaluation of 809 Cases Applied to Diyarbakir State Hospital Rabies Vaccination Center. Dicle Medical Journal, 2008;35(3), 181-184.
- Loder RT. The Demographics of Dog Bites in The United States. Heliyon. 2019;5(3):e01360. Published 2019 Mar 20. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01360.
- Balin ŞÖ, Denk A. Evaluation of Rabies Risk Contact Notifications. Fırat Medical Journal, 2016; 21(3).
- McGuire C, Morzycki A, Simpson A, Williams J, Bezuhly M. Dog Bites in Children: A Descriptive Analysis. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2018;26(4):256-262. doi:10.1177/2292550318767924.
- Can FK, Tekin E, Sezen S, Clutter P. Assessment of rabies prophylaxis cases in an emergency service. Journal of Emergency Nursing. 2020; 46(6), 907-913.
- Cesur M, Olgun N. Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Patients Applying to Hospital with Complaints of Rabies Suspected Animal Attack. Acıbadem University Journal of Health Sciences, 2014; (2), 135-140.
- Ellis R, Ellis C. Dog and Cat Bites. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(4):239-243.
- Kadıoğlu E, Uyar C, Özmen A. Detailed Analysis of Rabies Suspected Contact Cases After Emergency Service Application: Dumlupınar University Medical Faculty Evliya Çelebi Hospital Experience. J Contemp Med, 2017;7(4), 323-328.
- Joshua IA, Bello M, Adeiza A, Danbirni S. Analysis of 4-Year Dog-Bite Cases Treated at Ahmadu Bello University Health Centre, Zaria, Nigeria. TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 2012;11(6).
- Gündüz T, Elçioğlu Ö, Balcı Y. Evaluation of Dog and Cat Bites in a Five-Year Period: A Case Study from Eskişehir. National Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, 2011;17(2), 133-140.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Forensic Epidemiology |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | April 23, 2025 |
| Submission Date | October 18, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | January 20, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 1 |
