A Retrospective Clinical Analysis of 1,485 Patients Who Visited the Emergency Room of Korean Medical Hospital with Musculoskeletal Disorders

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review the characteristics of patients who visited the emergency room of a Korean medical hospital with musculoskeletal disorders during the last 5 years and to provide a potential basis for future studies and emergency medical practice. Methods : Patient visit records between May 1st, 2010 and February 28th, 2015 were reviewed and patients with musculoskeletal disorders were included in a retrospective analysis. Results : A total of 5,218 patient visit records were initially reviewed and 1,485 patients (28.46 %) were included in the analysis. S code group was the most frequently diagnosed coding group of Korean Standard Classification of Diseases. The male to female ratio was 1.05:1 and patients in their thirties represented the highest age group. When classified by time of visit, the distribution of patients was similar from 10:00 to 22:59. The most frequently visited day and month were Sunday and September. 879 patients (59.19 %) visited the emergency room within 24 hours from onset of symptoms. The most common symptom site was the low back (45.59 %), followed by ankle (13.94 %) and neck (13.80 %). The most frequently used treatment method was acupuncture (92.32 %), followed by infrared (45.45 %), TENS (30.03 %) and herbal medication (29.02 %). The follow-up and admission rates were 30.24 % and 13.00 % respectively. 343 patients (23.10 %) received Western medical treatment within a day before visiting the emergency room of the Korean medical hospital. Conclusions : This analysis provides the latest information on the characteristics of patients who visited the emergency room of a Korean medical hospital with musculoskeletal disorders. The results can provide the basis for further studies and for other attempts to improve the clinical setting of the emergency room.