Epidemiology and clinical outcomes of snakebite in the elderly: a ToxIC database study

Epidemiologic studies of snakebites in the United States report typical victims to be young men. Little is known regarding other demographics including children and the elderly. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of snake bite in elderly patients reported to the ToxIC (Toxicology Investigators Consortium) North American Snakebite Registry (NASBR) Methods: This was a multicenter analysis of a prospectively collected cohort of patients with snakebite reported to the ToxIC NASBR between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015. Inclusion criterion was age >65. Variables collected included patient demographics, medical comorbidities, medications, date the case was reported to the registry, location of exposure, bite location, snake species, clinical manifestations, outcomes, and management.

Of the 450 cases reported, 30 (6.7%) occurred in elderly patients, with an average age of 74 years. Rattlesnake envenomations were common (93.3%). The majority of patients were men (66.7%) and reported at least one medical comorbidity (83.3%). Most patients were on cardiac medications (60%) and use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications was common (33%). Hemotoxicity occurred in 30% of patients on initial presentation and 11.5% of patients on initial follow-up. No clinically significant early or late bleeding was observed.

Elderly patients with North American snake envenomation are likely to have co-morbidities and to take medications that may increase their risk for hemotoxicity, however risk of bleeding or other complications was not increased in this group.