Epidemiology of Traumatic Injuries at a Single Regional Trauma Center in South Korea: Age-Specific and Temporal...

Background/Objectives: Trauma remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, significantly affecting younger and aging populations. The regional trauma center establishment in South Korea in 2014 marked a pivotal advancement in the national trauma care system. This study reviews data from the Incheon Regional Trauma Center, analyzing patient demographics, injury mechanisms, and outcome trends. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 32,025 patients with trauma treated at the Incheon Regional Trauma Center from 2014 to 2023. Data from the Korean Trauma Database included demographics, injury mechanisms, Injury Severity Scores (ISSs), and outcomes. We considered the initial treatment setting in our analysis to evaluate its potential impact on patient outcomes. Patients were stratified into four ISS categories and five age groups (0-12, 13-19, 20-64, 65-79, and ≥80 years). Statistical comparisons used chi-square tests and analysis of variance. Results: The proportion of older patients (≥65 years) increased significantly from 23.3% in 2014 to 45.2% in 2023, with patients aged ≥ 80 years showing the highest rise and mortality (6.7%). Traffic accidents decreased from 30.7% to 28.2%, while slip injuries increased from 26.9% to 34.0%. Patients with ISSs > 15 increased, peaking in 2022 (mortality, 15.6%). Despite improved trauma care infrastructure, the overall mortality rate reached 5.9% in 2022, possibly due to more complex cases and an aging population. Conclusions: This study highlights evolving challenges in trauma care due to demographic shifts and rising injury severity. These findings underscore the need for tailored geriatric trauma care, improved infrastructure, and targeted interventions for high-risk groups. Further research is needed to optimize trauma systems and address the growing burden of geriatric trauma.