A simple fall in the elderly: not so simple.
BACKGROUND
The goal of this study was to evaluate the burden of falls in the elderly in a Canadian tertiary trauma center.


METHODS
Patients admitted to Charles-LeMoyne Hospital with a low velocity fall (LVF) from April 1, 1993 to March 31, 2000 were individually reviewed. Elderly was defined as age 65 years and older. A region was considered to be injured if Abbreviated Injury Scale was greater than or equal to 2.


RESULTS
There were 2,333 patients with LVF, 41.4% of all blunt trauma admissions. Median Injury Severity Score was 9 for elderly compared with 5 for young (p < 0.001). Injuries were significantly more frequent to head, face, thorax, and lower limbs in the elderly. Mortality (13.4% versus 0.9%; p < 0.001), length of stay (median = 15 versus 3 days; p < 0.001) and long-term care facility reference (19.3% versus 1.1%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the elderly.


CONCLUSIONS
LVF is a frequent cause of admission for trauma in the elderly. Despite the apparent benign nature of the mechanism, LVF is associated with more severe injuries and worse outcome.
Bergeron
Eric
E
Trauma Department, Charles-LeMoyne Hospital, University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
Clement
Julien
J
Lavoie
André
A
Ratte
Sebastien
S
Bamvita
Jean-Marie
JM
Aumont
Francois
F
Clas
David
D
D015998:Abbreviated Injury Scale; D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology