Trauma Recidivism in an Aging Population: Who Is Most at Risk?

Repeated episodes of trauma, particularly in older adults, result in increased morbidity and mortality. This study investigates trauma recidivism in our adult population to identify which patients in our region are more likely to become recidivists.

This 4 year retrospective study (2013 to 2017) examines all patients 18 years of age or older with multiple hospital admissions for trauma, comparing patients ages 65 and older (older adults) to those ages 18 to 64 (younger adults). Exclusion criteria consisted of those younger than 18 and/or had a home zip code outside of the study region. Data included admission demographics, injury characteristics and other clinical metrics.

There were 240 younger adult and 182 older adult trauma recidivists included. In total, 4% of all patients were recidivists with significantly higher rates of recidivism among older adults (OR: 1.94 [1.59-2.36], p <0.001). Older adult recidivists were more likely to be female (OR: 4.28 [2.82-6.51], p <0.001) and suffer blunt trauma secondary to a fall (OR: 5.36 [3.91-7.35], p <0.001). Trauma recidivism in older adults also correlated with a higher Injury Severity Score, longer length of stay and an increased proportion of patients requiring to be discharged home with organizational help or to a rehabilitation facility.

Trauma can be recurrent and associated with poor health outcomes, particularly in older adults. Recidivists in the studied region were significantly older with the most at-risk population consisting of females suffering blunt injury secondary to a fall. Improved prevention strategies are needed for this population.