Thoracic injuries in elderly trauma patients epidemiology, injury characteristics, in-hospital care and outcome

Abstract Purpose The aim was to describe epidemiology, injury characteristics, in-hospital care and outcome for elderly trauma patients with thoracic injuries within the context of a large national register study. Methods Trauma patients aged ≥ 60 years from 2022 to 2024 were identified through the national Swedish Trauma Registry (SweTrau). The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) was used to identify thoracic and other injuries. Data on patient and injury demographics, in-hospital care and outcome in terms of discharge destination and mortality was collected for each patient. Results A total of 11,624 patients were included. The median age for all patients was 76 years (range 60–106), and 4617 (40%) were females. A total of 3644 (31%) patients had a thoracic injury registered (TI group). Compared with patients without thoracic injury (NTI), the TI group had higher injury severity (ISS and NISS) and were more physiologically compromised on arrival (lower systolic blood pressure and a higher proportion of patients presenting with circulatory shock (SBP < 90 mmHg). TI patients had more injuries, longer hospital length of stay, required more intensive care and were less often discharged to their home, while 30day mortality did not differ between groups. Conclusion Elderly trauma patients with thoracic injuries were more severely injured, required more in-hospital care and could less often be discharged directly to their home, compared to patients without thoracic injury.