title: Traumatic Brain Injury in the Elderly: Burden, Risk Factors, and Prevention.
abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem, affecting millions of people each year worldwide. Elderly patients are at particularly high risk after sustaining a TBI due to higher degrees of mortality and functional disability compared with younger patients. In addition, the causative mechanisms of TBI in the elderly are shifting from motor vehicle collisions to falls. In this article, we will review the risk factors and mechanisms that predispose elderly patients to sustain a TBI. We will conclude by using a "Haddon's Matrix" approach to review current evidence-based prevention strategies directed at reducing the burden of TBI in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology (Dr Krishnamoorthy), Department of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics and Department of Neurological Surgery (Dr Vavilala), and Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems (Dr Thompson), Faculty of Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Preventive Medicine Resident-Madigan Army Medical Center, Federal Way, Washington (Dr Distelhorst).
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Krishnamoorthy
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Distelhorst
authors.forename: Monica S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Vavilala
authors.forename: Hilaire
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014481:United States