[Injuries in emergency rooms of urban areas in Mexico: prevalence and severity]. / Atención de lesiones por tipo de causa externa en salas de urgencia en tres ciudades de México: composición, frecuencia y gravedad.

OBJECTIVE: To identify frequency and severity of injuries by type of external cause in people attending emergency services for medical attention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study held in the cities of Guadalajara, Colima and Mexico City, from September 2007 to February 2008. All people requiring emergency medical attention due to injuries were included. VARIABLES: sex, age, anatomical area of the injury, type of injury, external cause, type of aggressor and severity according to the abbreviated injury scale. Statistical analysis was univariate simple and multivariate. RESULTS: 26.3% of the emergency medical attention was due to injuries, with the main cause being falls (49.3%). Individuals from 15 to 44 years (55.8%) reported a higher frequency, while those over 60 years presented the most serious injuries. Associated variables to severity were interpersonal aggression (OR 6.7, IC 95% 4.20-10.69) and road traffic injuries (OR 3.00, IC 95% 1.72-5.23). Conclusions. Accidental and intentional injuries represent an important demand of emergency medical attention; with interpersonal aggression and road traffic injuries being responsible for the highest number of serious injuries.