Elderly patients over age 70 who have experienced an accident or injury are at least three times more likely to suffer a recurrent trauma, according to a study by UAB researchers. Details of the study appear in the February 2001 issue of "Archives of Surgery."
"Those at greatest risk of a subsequent injury include women and those with chronic medical conditions or functional impairments," says Gerald McGwin, Ph.D., associate professor of surgery at UAB. "The impact of injury among elderly patients on health care expenses and post-injury quality of life makes this an important public health issue, especially as the population of elderly continues to grow."
Findings suggest that focused interventions could reduce the likelihood of trauma recurrence.
Contact Joy Carter, Media Relations, 205-934-1676 or [email protected].
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