A retrospective review of a Level I trauma center’s database identified all adult (age > 18) trauma patients admitted after GLFs between 1/2003 and 12/2013. Demographics, injury patterns, antiplatelet use, anticoagulation use (including warfarin, enoxaparin, and rivaroxaban) and outcomes were abstracted.
The cohort included 5088 patients. 3990 patients were >60 years and 38.2% were male. With each decade, although the mean ISS did not considerably change (range 7.0–8.6), mortality increased (0.9% at <60 years vs. 5.5% at >90 years), and the likelihood of home discharge decreased dramatically (73.7% at <60 years vs. 18.2% at >90 years). Abdominal solid organ injuries were rare (0.8%). Age was associated with an increased incidence of cervical spine (p = 0.002), rib (p = 0.009) and pelvic fractures (p < 0.001). Only aspirin use was significantly associated with intracranial bleed (p = 0.001). Aspirin (p = 0.049) or warfarin (p < 0.001) use was associated with increased overall mortality.
GLF patients are not homogenous as certain injury patterns change with increasing age. Aspirin use was associated with an increased incidence of intracranial bleeds, whereas other antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents were not. GLF is also associated with significant morbidity and mortality that increases dramatically with age. Both aspirin and warfarin are independently associated with increased mortality. These patient differences have implications for their evaluation and management.
Epidemiological/prognostic study level IV.