Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2013 , Vol 16, Issue 3
DEMOGRAPHIC PROPERTIES AND FACTORS AFFECTING MORTALITY OF ELDERLY PATIENTS RELATED WITH MOTOCYCLE INJURIES
Mustafa Burak SAYHAN1, Esin Seçgin SAYHAN2, Serhat OGUZ3, Cemil KAVALCI4, Ebru GÜLER1
1Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Acil Tıp Anabilim Dalı EDİRNE
2Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı EDİRNE
3Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı EDİRNE
4Ankara Numune Eğitim Araştırma Hastanesi Acil Tıp Anabilim Dalı ANKARA
Introduction: To determine the socio-demographic attributes, trauma scoring systems' relationship to mortality rates and the factors affecting mortality of the victims of motorcycle accidents (VMAs) over 65 who arrive at the emergency department.

Materials and Method: A descriptive study was conducted in a university-based hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: survival (group A) and deceased (group B).

Results: A total of 108 patients who were VMAs were identified. 96 patients were in group A and 12 were in group B. We especially noted the existence of internal injuries, head injuries, multiple injuries and alcohol intake (p=0.029) as risk factors affecting mortality. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) were found to be higher in group B compared to group A (p= 0.003, 0.001, respectively). The Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) and Revised Trauma Score (RTS) were found to be higher in group A compared to group B (p< 0.001 for both).

Conclusion: Most of the motorcycle-related injuries in elderly involved men, and occurred in urban areas, during the summer and on weekdays, with a mechanism of falling off the motorbike. Skin and musculoskeletal systems were injured most frequently in our study. Keywords : Aged; Accidents; Traffic/mortality