Geriatric Skiers: Active But Still at Risk, a National Trauma Data Bank Study

Area of Science:

• Traumatology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Downhill skiing is a common cause of sport-related injuries among the geriatric population.
• Assessing the national impact of ski trauma in geriatric versus nongeriatric adults is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the demographics, injury patterns, and outcomes of ski trauma between geriatric (≥65 years) and nongeriatric (18-64 years) adult skiers.
• To identify risk factors associated with severe ski injuries in adults.

Main Methods:

• Data from 3255 adult ski trauma patients (2011-2015) at level 1/2 trauma centers were analyzed from the National Trauma Data Bank.
• Demographics, injury patterns, and outcomes were compared between geriatric and nongeriatric skiers.
• Multiple regression analysis identified risk factors for severe injury (Injury Severity Score >15).

Main Results:

• Geriatric skiers (16.7% of patients) had higher rates of head, severe head, and thorax injuries.
• Geriatric patients were more frequently admitted to the ICU, discharged to a facility, and had higher mortality rates.
• Independent risk factors for severe injury included male sex, helmet use, and comorbidities; geriatric age was not independently associated with severe injury.

Conclusions:

• Geriatric ski trauma patients present with distinct injury patterns, higher acuity, increased need for facility discharge, and greater mortality.
• Findings underscore the necessity for specialized medical attention for high-impact geriatric ski trauma cases.