Evaluating the Usefulness of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in Diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injury: The Role in the Old Age Patients

Abstract

Background: Several previous studies have questioned on the applicability of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) for patients with old age having Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of GCS in diagnosing TBI in relation to elderly people. Materials and Method: A prospective study was performed involving 558 patients with brain injury out of that 126 had TBI. The GCS was assessed and compared with patients after dividing them into different age groups. Logistic regression was performed after adjusting for addition classical factors influencing the GCS like sex, Abbreviated Injury Scores (AIS) and mode of injury. Results: We found a continuously increasing trend for GCS score with age of the patients having TBI. The similar trend was noted at all the level of severity. Logistic regression has shown a significant trend after adjusting for patients’ sex and mode of injury. However, level and height of the fall are the determining factors. GCS score increases significantly after the age of 44. Conclusion: Greater weightage should be given to the age of the patients and the level and mode of injury to patients with TBI during the screening procedure.