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Volume 14 Issue 2 (February) 2025

Original Articles

Epidemiological and Clinical Patterns of Gunshot Injuries in a Hospital-Based Cohort: A Retrospective Analysis
Dr. Anubhav Goel, Dr. Aradhana Singh Dr. Prakhar Singh, Dr. Karan Rawat

Background: Gunshot injuries remain a significant public health challenge, contributing to considerable morbidity and mortality globally. Patterns of injury vary by region, reflecting differences in socio-political environments, firearm availability, and healthcare infrastructure. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological and clinical profiles of gunshot wound (GSW) victims presenting to a tertiary care hospital, thereby informing future prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for 105 patients admitted with gunshot injuries between January 20XX and December 20XX. Demographics, injury circumstances (location, time of day, reason), wound characteristics (anatomical site, exit wound presence), clinical interventions (surgery), and outcomes (survival) were documented. Descriptive statistics summarized the key findings; no personal identifiers were collected. Results: Among 105 patients, 90.5% were male and 9.5% female. Most were in the 20–29-year age group. Rural residents accounted for 47.6% of cases, and 73.3% of incidents occurred at night. Lower limb involvement was most frequent (62.9%), and 78.1% had a confirmed exit wound. Homicide-related shootings (45.7%) and police-related gunshot wounds (52.4%) dominated, with only 1.9% attributed to suicide. Surgical intervention was required in 6.7% of cases. The overall survival rate was 91.4%, with fatalities predominantly associated with head and abdominal GSWs. Conclusion: Young adult males composed the majority of gunshot victims, with lower extremity wounds being most common. Despite a high survival rate, targeted interventions emphasizing violence prevention, firearm safety, and optimized trauma care remain crucial. These data may guide policymakers, clinicians, and law enforcement toward evidence-based strategies to mitigate the burden of gunshot injuries.

 
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