title: Risk factors for subdural bleeding in elderly population.
abstract: In the elderly, a larger proportion of the intracranial bleeds is related to non-traumatic causes or is caused by slight trauma--such that in a younger patient would not be expected to cause a bleed. In clinical practice, there is a prevailing impression that these bleeds, especially subdural hematomas of chronic and sub-chronic duration with or without acutization (evidence of "fresh" bleeding) are in many cases related directly to the use of anticoagulant therapy. A retrospective survey of medical documentation was performed for patients treated at the Neurosurgery Clinic of KBC Rijeka during the period of 2011 and 2012. Statistical analysis showed a significantly greater incidence of spontaneous SDH (subdural hematoma) in patients taking oral anticoagulation therapy (Fisher exact test, p < 0.01). In the article 3 typical cases of such patients are also presented. This survey confirmed the existence of a relationship between oral anticoagulant therapy and SDH, in particular the subgroup of "spontaneous" SDH. A larger study is planned.
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ledić
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Girotto
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kolbah
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed