Evaluation of patients over 65 years of age with traumatic injury applying to Karadeniz Technical University Farabi Hospital Emergency Department between 2019-2020

SUMMARY Introduction and Objective: The morbidity and mortality of traumatic injuries are higher in individuals aged 65 and over, which is increasing in number worldwide, compared to other age groups. In our study; we aimed to raise awareness about the morbidity and mortality levels of injuries and elder abuse, examining aged 65 and over cases applied to the KTU Faculty of Medicine Farabi Hospital Emergency Servise between 2019-2020, in terms of gender, age, trauma history, type of traumatic injury, clinical porgression after injury, elder abuse and environment in which the person lived. Material and Method: The structure of the research is a cross-sectional descriptive study, and it was conducted by retrospectively examining the files of patients aged 65 and over who applied to the Emergency Department of KTU Medical Faculty Farabi Hospital between 2019-2020, in electronic and physical environment. Results: Out of 647 patients admitted due to trauma, 292 (45.1%) patients were in the age range of 65-74, 263 (40.6%) patients were 75-84, 92 (14.2%) patients were 85 and over, 384 patients (59.4%) were male, 263 patients (40.6%) were female. In the forms of trauma; falling from one' own level was the most with 244 (37.7%) cases, followed by stab wounds with 123 (19.0%) and falling from a height with 80 (12.4%) cases. Falling from self-level and burn rates were found to be statistically significantly higher in females (p<0.001). The anatomical regions affected by trauma were 282 (43.6%) extremity injuries and 155 (24.0%) head-neck injuries. In patients who were admitted to any clinic, falling from their own level came first. The clinical with the highest rate of hospitalization was found to be the Orthopedics and Traumatology department. Conclusion: All trauma mechanisms and elder abuse, especially falls, which is the most common cause of geriatric trauma, is an issue that needs to be adressed in terms of forensic medicine. Measures to prevent trauma should be arranged and reviewed fort he elderly, and health personnel should not forget the legal reporting obligation in forensic traumatic injuries. Key Words: Traumatic Injury, Elder Abuse, Forensic Medicine.