Changing Demographic Trends in spine trauma: The presentation and outcome of Major Spine Trauma in the elderly

Background Traumatic injuries are among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Major trauma presentations have seen a demographic shift recently from the young to the elderly, with significant associated neurological deficit. Aims To review the presentation and outcome of elderly patients presenting with cervical spinal injuries and associated neurological deficit that underwent surgical intervention in order to optimise treatment strategies. Methods A retrospective review was conducted at a national tertiary referral centre to analyse admission trends from June 2016 to July 2020 for outcomes of elderly patients (≥ 65) presenting with traumatic cervical spine injuries associated with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics were collected and analysed. Results Forty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common mechanisms of injury (MOIs) were falls from standing (38.1%) and falls from height (≥ 2 m) (33.3%). Complete SCIs had increased mean LOS (57.6 vs 21.6 days; p = 0.013), postoperative complications (100% vs 60.6%; p = 0.022), life-threatening complications (57.1% vs 9.1%; p = 0.001), and 90-day mortality (37.5% vs 5.9%; p = 0.007) compared to incomplete SCIs. Conclusion Elderly patients with complete SCIs have poorer outcomes and mortality than those with less extensive SCIs. They require more resources, have greater risk of complications, and have higher mortality than those with incomplete SCIs, with subsequent implications on optimal treatment strategies. More robust studies are needed to derive improved risk stratification tools for geriatric patients with spinal injuries.

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Morbidity and mortality of traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries in a geriatric cohort

Wilson

McDonnell

O’Malley

et al. 2022

Ir J Med Sci

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Geriatric spine fractures – Demography, changing trends, challenges and special considerations: A narrative review

Sunder

Chhabra

Aryal

2023

Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma

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Trauma Demographics and Injury Prevention

Scrushy,

Lunardi,

Sakran

2024

Surgical Clinics of North America

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Changing Demographic Trends in spine trauma: The presentation and outcome of Major Spine Trauma in the elderly

Cited by 5 publications

References 22 publications

Morbidity and mortality of traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries in a geriatric cohort

Morbidity and mortality of traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries in a geriatric cohort

Geriatric spine fractures – Demography, changing trends, challenges and special considerations: A narrative review

Trauma Demographics and Injury Prevention

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