Epidemiological study of economic impact of hand injuries

Objective To conduct an epidemiological study on the economic impact of hand injuries and its distribution between hand injuries at work and at leisure. Methods 160 patients of acute hand injuries were investigated by questionnaire and were followedup four weeks afterwards.Results The patients were 36.3 years old in average, 67.5% of whom were male and 32.5% were female. 36.3% of hand injuries occurred at work. 62.7% of patients earned less than 1 000 yuan a month. The economic loss was 1 131.5 yuan per patient. The economic impact of hand injuries at leisure was 916.6 yuan per patient, and that at work 1 509.3 yuan.Conclusion Hand injuries induce much economic impact on individuals as well as on society. Occupational hand injuries have more economic loss than those at leisure.(Shanghai Med J, 2000,23∶404407)