@article{ref1,
title="The effect of traumatic head injuries on the outcome of middle-aged and geriatric orthopedic trauma patients",
journal="Injury",
year="2023",
author="Ranson, Rachel and Esper, Garrett W. and Woodruff, Robert and Solasz, Sara J. and Egol, Kenneth A. and Konda, Sanjit R.",
volume="55",
number="3",
pages="e111299-e111299",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to characterize the effects of head injuries amongst the middle-aged and geriatric populations on hospital quality measures, costs, and outcomes in an orthopedic trauma setting. <br><br>METHODS: Patients with head and orthopedic injuries aged >55 treated at an academic medical center from October 2014-April 2021 were reviewed for their Abbreviated Injury Score for Head and Neck (AIS-H), baseline demographics, injury characteristics, hospital quality measures and outcomes. Univariate comparative analyses were conducted across AIS-H groups with additional regression analyses controlling for confounding variables. All statistical analyses were conducted with a Bonferroni adjusted alpha. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 1,051 patients were included. The mean age was 74 years, and median AIS-H score was 2 (range 1-6). While outcomes worsened and costs increased as AIS-H scores increased, the most drastic (and clinically relevant) rise occurs between scores 2-3. Patients who sustained a head injury warranting an AIS-H score of 3 experienced a significantly higher rate of major complications, need for ICU admission, inpatient and 1-year mortality with longer lengths of stay and higher total costs despite no differences in demographics or injury characteristics. Regression analysis found a higher AIS-H score was independently associated with greater mortality risk. <br><br>CONCLUSION: AIS-H scores >2 correlate with significantly worse outcomes and higher hospital costs. Concomitant head injuries impact both outcomes and direct variable costs for middle-aged and geriatric orthopedic trauma patients. Clinicians, hospitals, and payers should consider the significant effect of head injuries on the hospitalization of these patients.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0020-1383",
doi="10.1016/j.injury.2023.111299",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2023.111299"
}