Impact of DST (Daylight Saving Time) on Major Trauma: A European Cohort Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Dec 17;18(24):13322. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182413322.

Abstract

(1) Background: Approximately 73 countries worldwide implemented a daylight saving time (DST) policy: setting their clocks forward in spring and back in fall. The main purpose of this practice is to save electricity. The aim of the present study was to find out how DST affects the incidence and impact of seriously injured patients. (2) Methods: In a retrospective, multi-center study, we used the data recorded in the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU) between 2003 and 2017 from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. We compared the included cases 1 week before and after DST. (3) Results: After DST from standard time to summertime, we found an increased incidence of accidents of motorcyclists up to 51.58%. The result is consistent with other studies. (4) Conclusion: However, our results should be interpreted as a tendency. Other influencing factors, such as time of day and weather conditions, were not considered.

Keywords: DST; daylight saving time; major trauma.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seasons