Abstract
Aims: Considering the worldwide trend of an increased lifetime, geriatric trauma is moving into focus. Trauma is a leading cause of hospitalization, leading to disability and mortality. The purpose of this study was to compare the global health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of geriatric patients with adult patients after major trauma. Methods: This multicenter prospective registry-based observational study compares HRQoL of patients aged ≥65 years who sustained major trauma (Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16) with patients <65 years of age within the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (DGU). The global HRQoL was measured at 6, 12, and 24 months post trauma using the EQ-5D-3L score. Results: We identified 405 patients meeting the inclusion criteria with a mean ISS of 25.6. Even though the geriatric patients group (≥65 years, n = 77) had a lower ISS (m = 24, SD = 8) than patients aged <65 years (n = 328), they reported more difficulties in each EQ dimension compared to patients <65 years. Contrary to patients < 65, the EQ-5D Index of the geriatric patients did not improve at 12 and 24 months after trauma. Conclusions: We found a limited HRQoL in both groups after major trauma. The group of patients ≥65 showed no improvement in HRQoL from 6 to 24 months after trauma.
Highlights
Since the geriatric population is forecasted to further increase, tremendous challenges are coming our way
Many patients with a lower Injury Severity Score (ISS) might be facing a comparable impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), we focused on the high-risk population of geriatric major trauma reflected by an ISS over 16
Even though HRQoL decreases throughout life [48], we found significant impairment of HRQoL in geriatric patients compared to the general population
Summary
Since the geriatric population is forecasted to further increase, tremendous challenges are coming our way. The number of persons over 65 years of age in industrial societies is already over 20% and will reach over 35% by 2060 [1]. It is likely that the number of severely injured geriatric patients will rise in line with demographic trends. In 2017, a total of 26% of the patients included in the Trauma Register DGU® of the German Trauma Society (DGU) were over 70 years old [2]. Physiological changes and comorbidities of the elderly population are challenging factors in treatment. The likelihood of severe impact on the quality of life even after minor injury increases with age, leading to hospitalization and impairment [3]. A generally decreased ability to tolerate stress imposed by traumatic incidents leads to a significant increase in social costs and risk of mortality [4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
