Prevalence of Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma in Elders Admitted to a Reference Hospital in Northeastern Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To know the prevalence and etiology of oral and maxillofacial trauma in elders.


METHODS
Analytical quantitative cross-sectional study conducted at a public trauma hospital located in Fortaleza-Ceará, Brazil. The study population comprised patients with trauma who were hospitalized from April to August 2014. Of these patients, patients with oral and maxillofacial trauma were chosen to be included in the research. A questionnaire was administered in order to obtain information on socio-demographics, systemic comorbidities, use of medication, deleterious habits (smoking and alcohol consumption), etiology of oral and maxillofacial trauma and type of pre-hospital care.


RESULTS
Of the 280 elderly hospitalized with trauma, 47 had oral and maxillofacial trauma, with a prevalence of 16.8%. In this group, the age ranged from 60 to 88 years, with a mean age of 72.4 years (SD± 8.38). The elderly were mostly women (55.3%), self-declared pardos (53.2%), who presented with cardiovascular disorders (48.9%), and who received formal pre-hospital care (70.2%). Elderly who were in the 60-69 years age group, spent 6-9 years at school and drank alcohol were 2.64, 3.75, and 1.97, respectively, more likely to suffer oral and maxillofacial trauma. The main causes of trauma were physical aggression, traffic accidents, falls and domestic accidents. All of the physical aggressions resulted in oral and maxillofacial traumas, and the elderly who suffered traffic accidents were four times more likely to have oral and maxillofacial trauma.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of 16.8% and the lack of research on oral and maxillofacial traumas in the elderly is worrisome and should be included in the oral health indicators for the elderly population to support the importance of oral health.
University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Collective Health Master's Degree Program, Center of Health Sciences, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Marcus Antonio Melo
MA
Carvalho Filho
University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Center of Health Sciences, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Maria Vieira de Lima
MV
Saintrain
University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Collective Health Master's Degree Program, Center of Health Sciences, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Rita Edna da Silveira
RE
Dos Anjos
University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Collective Health Master's Degree Program, Center of Health Sciences, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Solange Sousa
SS
Pinheiro
University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Collective Health Master's Degree Program, Center of Health Sciences, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Luciana de Carvalho Pádua
Lde C
Cardoso
University of Rouen, Dentistry Department, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
Jean André Hervé
JA
Moizan
Federal University of Ceará, Dental Clinics Department, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Andréa Silvia Walter
AS
de Aguiar
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D009909:Oral Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014193:Trauma Centers