Forensic Geriatric Trauma Cases

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the general characteristics of geriatric cases aged ≥65 years, who presented at the Forensic Medicine Clinic due to trauma, and the severity of injury using trauma scoring systems. Methods: The study included all trauma cases over 65 years with a forensic report prepared in the Forensic Medicine Clinic between 2015 and 2021. Evaluations were made using the chi-square, Mann- Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis (post-hoc: Dunn-Bonferroni) tests. A value of p75 years were higher than in those aged ≤75 years (p<0.05). The score severity of ISS and NISS of the cases injured in traffic accidents and other accidents was higher than in those injured due to battery (p<0.001). Almost half (48.1%) of the traffic accident-related cases were pedestrians, and it was seen that pedestrians suffered more severe trauma. Conclusion: Increasing the necessary safety measures in traffic, especially pedestrian safety, and taking measures to make daily life easier for the elderly may help protect this vulnerable population from the effects of severe trauma.

Keywords

• elderly
• trauma
• forensic medicine
• traffic accident