Head and face injuries in elderly patients victims of fall. A single trauma center analysis.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the profile of elderly victims of falls and the occurrence of injuries and fractures in the head and face regions.

Material and methods: Overall, 426 medical records of individuals aged 60 years or older of both genders hospitalized due to fall were analyzed. Data on gender, age group, period of occurrence, type of fall, presence of head and face injury and fracture of facial bones were collected. Data were organized with SPPS, version 20, and presented through descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test). Poisson regression analysis was used (α<0.05).

Results: The majority of victims were women (62.4%), aged 80 years or older (45.5%). Occurrences were more frequent in the daytime period (65.6%) and falls were mostly from the self-height (93.7%). Head and face lesions were found in 14.1% and 5.9% of victims, respectively. However, the presence of facial fracture was low (1.9%). Association between gender and occurrence of head (p=0.001) and face injury (p=0.017) was observed. The presence of "head injury" was associated with variables "type of fall" (p<0.001) and "existence of bone fracture" (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Women aged 80 or over are the main victims of falls. Occurrences are common in the daytime period and due to falls from self height. Although soft tissue injuries in head and face were common, facial fractures showed low frequency.