Koronavirüs-19 Pandemi Dönemi Kısıtlamalarının Geriatrik Hasta Grubunda Kafa ve Spinal Travma Sayıları Üzerine Etkisi

Abstract

Objective: Geriatric patients are more prone to traumatic injuries, particularly cranial traumas and spinal fractures resulting from falls, due to osteoporosis and sedentary lifestyles. As a primary measure against the Coronavirus-19 (Covid-19) pandemic, Turkey put into effect a lockdown for people aged 65 and above. This study aimed to compare the change in the number of cranial and spinal trauma cases in the age group of 65 and above who were placed under lockdown between 21st March and 3rd June 2020 with the number in the previous year. Materials and Methods: The study included patients aged 65 and above who presented to the emergency departments and neurosurgery clinics of two trauma centers in our city with cranial and spinal traumas between 21st March and 3rd June in 2019 and 2020. The patients were retrospectively categorized in terms of age, gender, type of trauma and treatment. Results: In total, 83 patients presented to the hospital between 21st March and 3rd June 2019 while only 12 patients presented between 21st March and 3rd June 2020 (p<0.001). Of the 83 patients hospitalised in 2019, 43 were male and 40 were female, and of the 12 patients admitted in 2020, 4 were male and 8 were female (p=0.232). In 2019, 37 of the patients presented with isolated cranial trauma, 27 with isolated spinal trauma and 19 with spinal+orthopaedic trauma. In 2020, 3 patients presented with isolated cranial trauma, 6 with isolated spinal trauma and 3 with spinal+orthopaedic trauma (p=0.33). Falls were the most common cause of geriatric injuries in 2019 and during the lockdown period. Conclusion: Our study reported that trauma was most likely to occur outside the home. Therefore, further research should be conducted to identify the causes of trauma outside the home for this age group and measures need to be taken accordingly to the reduce occurrence of such traumas.s.