Abstract
Background
Boxer's fractures of the metacarpals, due to punching, are usually an intentional injury. Almost a third of patients will represent, and the association with psychopathologies has led to the suggestion that all patients presenting with such an injury should have a psychiatric assessment. This study explored the relationship between such injuries and aggression levels in young people aged 11–18 years.
Methods
Following ethical approval, aggression scores were measured retrospectively in patients with boxer's fractures using the Buss and Warren questionnaire.
Results
There was a wide disparity of aggression scores in this group of patients, which has not been reported before. Seventy percent had normal or low aggression scores and 30 % had high scores.
Conclusion
As aggression levels are likely to continue at the same level into adulthood, this may be a useful strategy to identify patients most likely to represent in the future and so stratify paediatric assessment.
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The study was sponsored by Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust.
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Barlow, D., O’Hagan, E.A., Gull, A. et al. Aggression scores in children and adolescents who have sustained metacarpal fractures due to punching. Eur Orthop Traumatol 3, 243–246 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-012-0110-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-012-0110-1