Traumatic brain injury in the elderly: A level 1 trauma centre study

Objective: To explore the characteristics and outcome of patients with TBI over 65 years old admitted to an acute care Level 1 Trauma centre in Montreal, Canada. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected on patients (n = 1812) who were admitted post-TBI to the McGill University Health Centre-Montreal General Hospital from 2000-2011. The cohort was composed of four groups over 65 years old (65-75; 76-85; 86-95; and 96 and more). Outcome measures used were the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) as well as discharge destination. Results: As the patients got older, the odds of having a poor outcome increased (OR = 2.344 for those 75-85 years old, 4.313 for those 86-95 years of age and 3.465 for those aged 96 years of age or older). Also, the proportion of patients going home or going home with out-patient rehabilitation decreased as age increased (p = 0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). In contrast, the proportion of patients being discharged to long-term care facilities increased significantly as age increased (p<0.001). Conclusion: This descriptive study provides a better understanding of characteristics and outcome of different age groups of patients with TBI all over 65 years old in Montreal, Canada.