Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42137904›Full record

ArticlePublic health challenges2026

Epidemiological Profile, Clinical Presentations, and Complications of Gunshot Wounds in Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Hospital in the Armed Conflict Zone of Goma in Eastern DR Congo.

Samuel Mbabazi, Zubayer Shams, Phalek Mukaka, Luc Kinyoma, Reagan Luvande, Jones Onesime, Aymar Akilimali, Médard Kabuyaya

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Public health challenges, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Samuel MbabaziFaculty of Medicine University of Goma Goma DR Congo.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1773-2044
Zubayer ShamsBrunel Medical School Brunel University London UK.
Phalek MukakaFaculty of Medicine University of Goma Goma DR Congo.
Luc KinyomaDepartment of Surgery HEAL Africa Tertiary Hospital Goma DR Congo.
Reagan LuvandeEpiter's Consulting Office DRC Global Health Research Units Kinshasa DR Congo.
Jones OnesimeFaculty of Medicine University of Goma Goma DR Congo.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2662-5872
Aymar AkilimaliFaculty of Medicine University of Goma Goma DR Congo.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9393-1215
Médard KabuyayaFaculty of Medicine University of Goma Goma DR Congo.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Gunshot wounds are a major cause of mortality in armed conflict settings. In Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the east of the country, recurring armed violence results in a significant influx of wounded requiring emergency surgical care. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical profile, and complications observed in patients with gunshot wounds. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 242 patients admitted between December 2024 and February 2025. Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and outcome data were analyzed using STATA 14 software. Associations between clinical variables and complications were explored at the significance level Results: Patient records 242 were included in this study. The victims were predominantly male (74.4%) and young adults with a median age of 25 (range 18-34) years. Injuries mainly affected the lower (44.2%) and upper (42.2%) limbs. Open fractures (17.8%) and abdominal injuries (17.8%) were the injuries most frequently associated with complications. Hemodynamic instability on admission (44.1% of complicated cases) and an admission delay exceeding 8 h (53% of complicated cases) significantly increased the risk of complications. The mean length of hospital stay was 20 ± 16 days, and the overall mortality rate was 1.2%. Conclusion: Gunshot wounds in the city of Goma primarily affect young, active men who are frequently exposed to conflict zones. Complications are linked to initial instability, delays in admission, and the severity of the injuries. Strengthening the prehospital care system and surgical capacity remains essential to reducing mortality.

Indexed as

armed conflictcomplicationsDemocratic Republic of Congogunshot woundtraumatology

Identifiers

PMID42137904
PMCPMC13169493

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.