Traumatic brain injury in the elderly: A level 1 trauma centre study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
• The aging population presents unique challenges in TBI management and outcomes.
• Limited data exists on the specific characteristics and outcomes of geriatric TBI patients in acute care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics and outcomes of patients aged 65 and older following TBI.
• To analyze the differences in outcomes across various age strata within the geriatric TBI population.
• To identify factors influencing discharge destinations for elderly TBI patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective data collection from 1812 patients admitted with TBI between 2000-2011.
• Cohort divided into four age groups: 65-75, 76-85, 86-95, and 96+ years.
• Outcome assessment using the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) and analysis of discharge destinations.

Main Results:

• Increasing age correlated with a higher likelihood of poor outcomes (ORs ranging from 2.344 to 4.313).
• A significant decrease in home discharge or home with outpatient rehabilitation was observed with advancing age.
• A significant increase in discharge to long-term care facilities was noted with increasing age (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• This study enhances understanding of geriatric TBI patient characteristics and outcomes.
• Age is a critical factor influencing TBI recovery and disposition in older adults.
• Findings highlight the need for tailored management strategies for elderly TBI patients.