Redefining geriatric trauma: 55 is the new 65.

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Geriatric Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Geriatric trauma patient numbers are rising, necessitating specialized care protocols.
• Current definitions of "geriatric" vary, causing inconsistencies in care standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify age-specific mortality inflection points in trauma patients.
• To provide data-driven evidence for implementing age-based trauma care guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 255,099 trauma registry patients (aged 18-100) from 95 hospitals.
• Utilized change point analysis to identify mortality inflection points by age.
• Employed logistic regression for risk-adjusted mortality analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant mortality increases observed at ages 55, 77, and 82 years.
• Adjusted odds ratios for mortality increased with age groups: 2.42 (55-76), 4.70 (77-81), 6.43 (82+).
• Comorbidities, dementia, and skilled nursing facility discharge rates rose significantly with age.

Conclusions:

• Ages 55, 77, and 82 represent critical inflection points for trauma patient mortality.
• Trauma patients over 55 should be considered for geriatric trauma protocols.
• Further specialized care considerations are warranted for patients aged 77 and 82.