Prospective Analysis of Geriatric Patients Admitted to Emergency Department With Trauma

• Main Authors: Abdulkadir Akturk, Akkan Avci, Muge Gulen, Mehmet Oguzhan Ay, Ferhat Icme, Salim Satar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cukurova University 2013-08-01
• Series: Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi
• Subjects: Emergency service; geriatrics; trauma
• Online Access: http://www.scopemed.org/fulltextpdf.php?mno=37092

Objective: The aim of this study is to reveal the demographic characteristics, causes of trauma, physical examination findings, the presence of fractures and the status of the outcome of the geriatric trauma patients admitted to the emergency department of an educational research hospital. Material and Methods: This study covers all the cases over 65 years who were admitted to emergency department with trauma between September 1 2011-31 August 2012. The demographic characteristics of the patients such as, age, gender, date of application and as well as the causes of trauma, physical examination findings and outcome situation in the emergency department were evaluated. The study was performed prospectively. SPSS V.20 was used for statistical analysis of the data obtained. Results: Total 175 patients were included to the study, 74 were male (42.28%) and 101 were female (57.72%). The mean age of male patients were 75.01 ± 6.557 while the mean age of female patients were 76.10 ± 7.353. The most common cause of trauma in both gender was falls. This rate was 91.1% in female and 8.9% in male patients. 40.6% of the female patients and 27% of the male patients were admitted to the hospital before because of any trauma. The most common form of trauma according to exposed body localization in both gender was extremity traumas. It was seen in 51.5% of the females and 56.8% of the males. 30 female patients (29.7%) and 13 male patients (17.6%) had fracture in limbs. 78.3% of all patients were discharged from the emergency department and 21.7% of the patients were hospitalised. None of the patients were died in emergency department and none of the patients were referred to another institution from the emergency department. Total 38 patients were hospitalised, 32 of them were discharged, 2 of them were referred to another institution, and 4 of them were died. 26 of 38 hospitalised patients had undergone surgery while 20 of them were orthopedic surgeries. Conclusions: Most of the geriatric trauma patients constitute of traffic accidents and falls from height. These injuries can lead to serious morbidity and mortality in elderly people, and these problems can be prevented significantly by giving information and education to family members and caregivers in terms of preventive measures. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(4.000): 687-695]