Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of age on
mortality and 3-month outcome in a Norwegian cohort of patients with severe
traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Norwegian residents >/= 16 years of age
who were admitted with a severe TBI to the country's 4 major trauma centres in
2009 and 2010 were included, as were adults (16- 64 years) and elderly patients
(>/= 65 years). RESULTS: Half of the adult subjects and 84% of the elderly
subjects were injured by falls. One-third of the adults and half of the elderly
subjects were admitted to a local hospital before being transported to a regional
trauma hospital. Subdural haematomas were more frequent in the elderly subjects.
One-quarter of adults and two-thirds of the elderly subjects died within 3
months. At 3 months, 41% of the adult survivors were still in-patients, mainly in
rehabilitation units (92%). Of the surviving elderly subjects, 14% were
in-patients and none were in rehabilitation units. There was no difference in
functional level for survivors at the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Old age is
associated with fall-induced severe TBI and high mortality rates. Less intensive
treatment strategies were applied to elderly patients in the present study
despite high rates of haemorrhage. Few surviving elderly patients received
rehabilitation at 3 months post-injury.

Langue : ANGLAIS