Investigation of Factors Affecting Prognosis in Geriatric Patients with Head Injury

Objective: Head trauma is one of the most common causes of emergency admission in elderly patients. The risk of intracranial pathology increases after trauma due to the weakening of bone structures, deterioration in blood parameters, and use of anticoagulants. This study aimed to examine the factors affecting mortality after head trauma in geriatric patients. Material and Methods: Geriatric patients who were admitted to the emergency department with head trauma between 01.01.2015 and 31.12.2015 and underwent cranial computed tomography (cCT) were included in the study. Patient data were analyzed according to gender, age groups, trauma causes, hematological parameters and hospitalization-discharge status. Results: 320 patients were included in the study, 169 were female (52.8%), and 142 were in the 65-74 age group (%44). Intracranial pathology was detected in 34 patients. The most common causes of trauma were falls and traffic accidents. The most common CT pathology was subdural hemorrhage. 76 (24%) of 320 patients were hospitalized. As their final status, 307 patients were discharged (96%), 6 were transferred (1.9%), 7 died (2.2%). Conclusion: In the study, there is no significant correlation between age, gender, mechanism of trauma, hematological parameters and mortality in geriatric head trauma. Geriatric head traumas must be evaluated seriously regardless of the mechanism of injury, age and gender groups, even simple traumas can be dangerous.