Epidemiology of geriatric trauma in United Arab Emirates

Shehabeldin H. Adam, Hani O. Eid, Peter Barss, Karl Lunsjo, Michal Grivna, Fawaz Chikh Torab, Fikri M. Abu-Zidan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The mechanisms and outcome of trauma in hospitalized elderly patients were studied. The data of Al-Ain Hospital Trauma Registry were prospectively collected over a period of 3 years (2003-2006). All elderly trauma-patients above 60 years who were admitted to surgical ward or who died on arrival were studied. Demography of patients, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), hospital stay and mortality were analyzed. There were 121 patients (70 males and 51 females). Mean (range) age was 69 years (60-100), 42% were United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals. The two most common mechanisms of injury were falls (55%) followed by road traffic collisions (RTC) (32%). The median (range) ISS of the group was 5 (1-34). The ISS median (interquartile range) of falling down, RTC, and fall from height were 4 (4-9), 6 (4-10), and 8 (5-9), respectively (p = 0.31). Forty-one percentage of injuries occurred at home. The mean (range) hospital stay was 12.4 (1-150) days. Six patients (5%) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Overall mortality was 6% (7 patients), of whom 5 were pedestrians hit by cars. We concluded that low-energy trauma from falls was the most common cause of injury in the elderly. Mortality was high mainly from pedestrian injuries.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)377-382
Number of pages6
JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume47
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2008

Keywords

  • Mortality
  • Trauma in elderly
  • Traumatic injuries

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Ageing
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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