Risk Factors Associated With Worse Outcomes in Trauma Patients Aged 55 and Older

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Trauma Care
• Comorbidity Assessment
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Trauma patients over 55 experience increased mortality.
• Specific pre-existing comorbidities (PECs) linked to poor outcomes in this demographic remain uncertain.
• Identifying these risk factors is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify pre-existing comorbidities associated with adverse outcomes in trauma patients aged 55 and older.
• To determine risk factors for in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of trauma registry data from a level 1 trauma center (2020-2022).
• Inclusion of patients aged 55 and older admitted for trauma.
• Multiple logistic regression used to assess the association between PECs and specific poor outcomes.

Main Results:

• Chronic renal failure (CRF) significantly increased odds of mortality, unplanned ICU admission, and AKI.
• Congestive heart failure (CHF) increased odds of mortality, unplanned ICU admission, and VAP.
• Cirrhosis was associated with higher odds of mortality, unplanned ICU admission, and AKI.

Conclusions:

• Specific comorbidities like CRF, CHF, and cirrhosis are significant risk factors for poor outcomes in geriatric trauma patients.
• These findings can inform the development of targeted monitoring and complication-reduction strategies.
• Proactive identification of these comorbidities can lead to improved management and outcomes for older trauma patients.