A Clinical Review of Geriatric Patients with Pelvic Bone Fractures

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical aspects of pelvic fractures in an aged group with a non-aged group and to delineate its characteristics to improve prevention and treatment. METHODS: Medical records and radiological examinations of 100 cases were reviewed. Two groups were created, older than 65 years and younger than 65 years. In addition, the following were carefully examined and recorded-gender distribution, cause and types of fractures, associated injuries, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale, need for intensive care unit admission, duration of hospitalization, and mortality rate. RESULTS: A difference in gender distribution was seen with 12 males and 26 females in the aged group and 35 males and 27 females in the non-aged group (p<0.05). The mechanism of injury for the aged group in decreasing order was pedstrian accidents, falls, and passenger accidents while it was passenger accidents, pedestrian accidents, and falls for the non-aged group (p<0.05). Level of severity was higher in the non-aged group for fracture type, ISS, Glasgow Coma Scale, intensive care unit admission, and hospitalization duration. However, when ISS was greater than 15, this was seen in the aged group with also a higher mortality rate in the same group. CONCLUSION: Education and prevention, particularly about gender distribution and mechanism of injury, of pelvic fractures in the aged population are needed, and because of the potential seriousness of fractures in the elderly, active assessment and treatment are also necessary.