Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors in Severely Injured Elderly Trauma Presenting to Emergency Department

Ahn, Bu Min; Choi, Seung Pil; Park, Jeong Ho; Wee, Jung Hee; Hong, Sung Yup; Jeong, Si Kyoung

Abstract

BACKGROUND
With increasing life expectancy, the number of injured elderly patients has been increasing. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of severely injured elderly patients who presented to the Emergency Department and identified risk factors associated with mortality.
METHODS
Injured patients over 18 years of age who visited the Emergency Department with trauma team activation were investigated. We divided the patients into two groups according to age, an older adult group (> or =65 years) and a younger adult group (<65 years). We compared the mechanism of injuries, injury severity score (ISS), abbreviated injury scale > or =3 of each body area, and mortality between the two groups.
RESULTS
Among 177 severely injured patients, there were 138 younger adults (78%) and 39 older adults (22%). The average ISS of the older adults was higher than the younger adults (20.66 vs. 16.37). The incidences of severe injuries (ISS>15) in the younger adults and the older adults were 50.0% and 71.1%, respectively, and critical injuries (ISS>25) were 16.7% and 36.8%, respectively. Chest injuries and subdural hematoma occurred more often in the older adults. Mortality was higher in the older adults (28.2%) than in the younger adults (8.7%).
CONCLUSION
The average ISS was higher in older adults than in younger adults, and older adults were significantly more likely to suffer severe trauma, especially chest injuries and subdural hematoma. The rate of mortality was greater for older adults (28.2%) than younger adults (8.7%).