Traumatic Brain Injury in Geriatric Population: Epidemiology and Outcomes

Background: Elderly trauma patients present specific challenges and face more significant impediments in recovery than their younger counterparts. They usually show higher morbidity and mortality and have, worse functional, intellectual outcomes. Methods: Authors conducted a study to understand the epidemiological profile of elderly TBI, the influence of comorbidities on outcomes in such patients as well as the management issues. The study included a total of 150 patients admitted over a period of 2 years. Results: The most common mechanism of injury is fall accounting for 55% patients, and Chronic SDH was the most common pathology seen in 35.5 % of patients. Out of the 150 patients, 87 patients underwent surgery for various pathologies in which chronic SDH was the most common operated pathology followed by EDH. Glassgow outcome scale (GOS) was used as the measure of outcome in these series of patients. Conclusions: The need to study TBI in older adults is urgent, as there is a need for specific prognostic and management guidelines for the elderly that can lead to early diagnosis, better care, recovery, and eventual short- and long-term outcomes in the elderly.