Highlights
- •Older trauma patients experience high mortality.
- •Older trauma survivors have good health at 6 months.
- •Need for assistance with ambulation associated with higher mortality.
Abstract
Background
Prior studies have shown an increase in mortality in elderly patients when compared
to their younger cohort.
Methods
Level 1 trauma patients ≥50 years old were recruited upon admission to the ICU and
prospectively followed. After an initial survey, inpatient data were collected and
phone surveys were completed at 3 and 6 months.
Results
100 patients were included. There was an 18% inpatient mortality. At 6 months, the
mortality rate was 24%; 73% of surviving patients reported good health. 6-month nonsurvivors
had a higher percentage requiring preinjury assistance with ambulation.
Conclusions
Severe trauma in patients ≥50 years of age carries a significant rate of mortality
however survivors have good outcomes. Need for assistance with ambulation prior to
injury is associated with 6 month mortality and could be used as a screening tool
for interventions.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 07, 2021
Accepted:
August 30,
2021
Received in revised form:
August 16,
2021
Received:
May 1,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
