The Etiology of Trauma in Geriatric Traumatic Patients Refer to an Academic Trauma Center: A Cross Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE

Geriatric trauma refers to injuries sustained by elderly individuals, typically those aged 65 years and older. The management of geriatric trauma in the Emergency Department requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the physiological changes associated with aging, as well as the increased vulnerability and complexity of injuries in this population.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the etiology of trauma in geriatric patients referred to the ED of level-1 an academic center. All patients with complaints of trauma are evaluated and patients over 65 years enrolled in the study. Data were analyzed by SPSS 26.

RESULTS

319 patients were investigated, 49.8% male and 50.2% female. The most common underlying diseases are high blood pressure, diabetes type 2, and ischemic heart disease. The most common trauma cause was falling from the same level (48.9%), followed by a fall from a height (16.6%), accidents with cars (16%), and motorcycles (9.1%). The most common injury was extremities trauma (71.5%) following head trauma (13.2%) and chest trauma (6%). The severity of injury in extremities was higher in women, and chest trauma was more severe in men.

CONCLUSION

The fall and subsequent car accident had the highest frequency as a cause of trauma in elderly patients admitted to our academic trauma center. Hypertension and diabetes have also been the most common underlying diseases. Head and neck injuries are life-threatening and critical in a larger number of patients than other injuries, and protecting them can be effective in reducing mortality and serious injuries in elderly trauma patients.