Trauma in the Aged

Abstract

After accidents, elderly patients (aged 75 years and older) have been demonstrated to have increased mortality rates after trauma, however, the prognosis of those patients surviving their hospitalization is unknown. We hypothesized that surviving elderly patients would also have decreased functional outcomes. The aim of the study. This study examined the outcome of elderly patients exposed to varying trauma relative to all trauma patients. Material and methods. This was a retrospective study of 5046 patients with trauma in 2001-2005 treated. 972 of these patients were aged 75 or more. Data included demographics, risks factors, cause of trauma, operative or conservative management and result of treatment. Results. Mechanisms of injury were falls (almost 90%), motor vehicle collisions (8%) and other. Statistical differences in the mechanisms of trauma between the studied and younger groups were observed. The mortality rate was doubled in the older group. Almost 2/3 of the patients underwent surgery. The strategy of management and treatment of elderly trauma patients has not been studied in the literature. This group may require special management and monitoring, and if possible, noninvasive modes of treatment. There are big advantages by aggressive, operative treatment of oldest patients, but is the "thin red line" in profits and loss in this group. Conclusions. In our opinion, it is necessity to operate on all elderly patients in good overall condition who were mobile and of good mental status prior to the accident, status, but we do not recommend operations in low-risk patients or those with bad prognosis for successful rehabilitation. Key words: elderly, functional outcome, risk of operation, trauma in the aged POLSKI PRZEGLĄD CHIRURGICZNY 10.2478/v10035-007-0017-7 2007 Similar to other countries, in Poland, as in other countries, the elderly population continues to rise. The percentage of people over 60 doubled within last 50 years (rose from 8.3 in 1950 to 17.6 in 2000), and nowadays, the group of people over 75 constitute 4% of the entire population.According to statistical data from GUS, a typical Pole suffers from 3.8 chronic diseases, with cardiovascular disorders playing prominent role (1, 2). They are diagnosed in 75% of elderly people. Elderly patients are commonly affected by disease that significantly affect their quality of life, such as degenerative arthropathies, eye and ear dysfunction and mobility problems. Musculoskeletal, respiratory, and digestive disorders affect 68%, 46%, and 34% of the elderly population, respectively. Diabetes mellitus, a disease of modern civilization, affects about 40% of population over 65. It results in an increased risk of infectious complications and delayed bone healing. Obesity affects the same group of patients and worsens prognosis, which results in an increased number of complications, prolongs hospitalization, lengthens mechanical ventilation time and increases mortality (3). Only about 20% of elderly people do not report Unauthenticated Download Date | 5/...

The Changing Epidemiology of Serious Trauma in the Elderly Population: An Increasing Concern of a Tertiary Hospital in Singapore

“…However, several studies have shown that there is a correlation between age, mortality and utilisation of health services. [8][9][10] Click HERE for more articles at the Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore homepage This study aimed to compare and describe serious trauma in elderly and young patients in an acute tertiary hospital over a 12-year period. It also investigated rates of adverse complications and length of stay (LOS) in both groups of patients.…”