Exertional heat-related injuries treated in emergency departments in the US, 1997-2006

Background: Exertional heat-related injuries are a risk to all physically active individuals in warm or hot environments. Unlike classic heat-related injury, exertional heat-related injuries do not require extreme ambient temperatures to cause injury.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for all ages from 1997 through 2006. Data were used to calculate national estimates of exertional heat-related injuries. Trends of exertional heat-related injuries over time were analyzed using linear regression.

Results: Nationally, an estimated 54,983 patients were treated in US emergency departments for exertional heat-related injuries from 1997-2006. The number increased significantly from 3,192 in 1997 to 7,452 in 2006 (p=0.002), a 133.5% increase. The overall rate per 100,000 US population more than doubled from 1.2 in 1997 to 2.5 in 2006 (p=0.005). Patients ≤19 years of age accounted for the largest proportion injuries (47.6%). The majority were associated with performing a sport or exercising (75.5%) and yard work (11.0%). The majority of patients (90.4%) were treated and released. Patients ≤19 years of age sustained a larger proportion of sports and recreation exertional heat-related injuries, while patients 40-59 and ≥60 sustained a larger proportion of exertional heat-related injuries from yard work.

Conclusions: Further research on risk factors of exertional heat-related injuries as well as appropriate prevention practices are needed.