A study to evaluate host factors for musculoskeletal injuries secondary to trauma among elderly people of Northwestern India

• Main Authors: Sunil Kumar Raina, Lokesh Thakur, Bhanu Awasthi, Shivam Pathak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2016-01-01
• Series: Journal of the Scientific Society
• Subjects: Elderly; host factors; musculoskeletal injuries; trauma
• Online Access: http://www.jscisociety.com/article.asp?issn=0974-5009;year=2016;volume=43;issue=3;spage=112;epage=116;aulast=Raina

Introduction: As the population ages, the problems related to falls and fractures are expected to grow. This poses a great challenge to the health-care systems. Meeting these challenges requires a clear understanding of the prevalence and nature of falls. It also means identifying factors responsible for injury causation. The current study was conducted with the aim to evaluate host factors responsible for musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) in the elderly. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based, questionnaire-based, descriptive study was conducted on all elderly (60 years) patients attending a tertiary care teaching hospital with MSIs secondary to trauma between 2013 and 2014. Results: A total of 200 elderly with MSIs secondary to trauma attending the tertiary care center between 2013 and 2014 were evaluated for the purpose of this study. Exactly half of them (50%) were more than 70 years of age. Intoxication and presence of visual and hearing impairment were observed as significantly associated with occurrence of MSIs. Discussion: Trauma is a common cause of MSI among the elderly. Therefore, identification and evaluation of host factors are important as this can help in planning prevention of injuries in elderly. Conclusion: MSIs due to trauma are a focus of public health practice as they pose a serious health threat, occur frequently, and are in most situations preventable.