Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
3 Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Objective: Elderly people live longer and are more active nowadays; however, their bodily conditions make them more susceptible to injuries. An appropriate prognostic tool tailored for the needs and conditions of the elderly who sustain injuries has not been well elaborated in trauma research. To fill a gap in existing general models, this study has developed a modified model based on injury severity in order to predict trauma-related mortality in older people.
Methods: Data belonging to 643 older patients aged 55 and above who were admitted due to trauma to Fatemi University Hospital in Ardabil between 2019 and 2022 were analyzed. A convenience sampling approach was used, where all eligible patients were included. The study used regression modeling to examine the association between predictor variables and death. A geriatric injury prognostic scale (GIPS) was constructed and evaluated for its efficacy in distinguishing mortality statuses using binary logistic regression. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs), area under the ROC curve (AUC), and Hosmer-Lemeshow test results were reported. The statistical analyses were conducted utilizing the STATA statistical software package, version 17.
Results: The study enrolled 643 trauma patients aged between 55 and 95 years, 62.36% of whom were male. The mean pulse rate (PR) of the patients assessed in the emergency department was 81.7 (SD = 8.2), and 5% had Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores below 13. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) for 636 patients was 8 (SD = 8.5), and the in-hospital case fatality proportion was 6.2%. A comprehensive multivariate model was developed using PR per minute, GCS, and ISS that effectively predicted 83.2% (P value < 0.001) of trauma-related mortality in the study population. The model’s area under the ROC curve was 0.995 for GIPS.
Conclusion: The GIPS accurately predicts death probability in the older population, aiding in decision-making for appropriate treatment approaches in the geriatric-specific population.
Keywords
Main Subjects
Ageing World. New York: United Nations; 2023.
2. He W, Goodkind D, Kowal PR. An Aging World: 2015. Washington, DC: United States Census Bureau; 2016.
3. Adams SD, Holcomb JB. Geriatric trauma. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2015;21(6):520-6. doi: 10.1097/mcc.0000000000000246.
4. Jacobs DG. Special considerations in geriatric injury. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2003;9(6):535-9. doi: 10.1097/00075198-
200312000-00012.
5. Mangram AJ, Mitchell CD, Shifflette VK, Lorenzo M, Truitt MS, Goel A, et al. Geriatric trauma service: a one-year experience. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012;72(1):119-22. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e318241f0ba.
6. Yousefzadeh-Chabok S, Hosseinpour M, Kouchakinejad-Eramsadati L, Ranjbar F, Malekpouri R, Razzaghi A, et al.
Comparison of revised trauma score, injury severity score and trauma and injury severity score for mortality prediction
in elderly trauma patients. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2016;22(6):536-40. doi: 10.5505/tjtes.2016.93288.
7. Hsiao M, Malhotra A, Thakur JS, Sheth JK, Nathens AB, Dhingra N, et al. Road traffic injury mortality and its mechanisms in India: nationally representative mortality survey of 1.1million homes. BMJ Open. 2013;3(8):e002621. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002621.
8. Glance LG, Osler TM, Mukamel DB, Meredith W, Dick AW. Expert consensus vs empirical estimation of injury
severity: effect on quality measurement in trauma. Arch Surg. 2009;144(4):326-32; discussion 32. doi: 10.1001/
archsurg.2009.8.
9. Amini K, Abolghasemi Fakhri S, Salehi H, Ebrahimi Bakhtavar H, Rahmani F. Mortality prediction in multiple trauma
patients using GAP, RTS and NTS models. Trauma Mon. 2021;26(5):252-7. doi: 10.30491/tm.2021.262592.1212.
10. Li G, Baker SP. Epidemiologic methods. In: Li G, Baker SP, edrs. Injury Research: Theories, Methods, and Approaches.
Boston, MA: Springer; 2012. p. 203-20. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-1599-2_9.
11. Acharya P, Garwe T, Vesely SK, Janitz A, Peck JD, Cross AM. Enhancing geriatric trauma mortality prediction: modifying and assessing the geriatric trauma outcome score with net benefit and decision curve analysis. Acad Emerg Med. 2025.doi: 10.1111/acem.15103.
12. Jeon S, Lee GJ, Lee M, Choi KK, Lee SH, Cho J, et al. Predictive limitations of the geriatric trauma outcome score:
a retrospective analysis of mortality in elderly patients with multiple traumas and severe traumatic brain injury. Diagnostics(Basel). 2025;15(5):586. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15050586.
13. Han J, Yoon SY, Seok J, Lee JY, Lee JS, Ye JB, et al. Geriatric trauma outcome score for predicting mortality among older Korean adults with trauma: is it applicable in all cases? Ann Geriatr Med Res. 2024;28(4):484-90. doi: 10.4235/
agmr.24.0095.
14. Zhao FZ, Wolf SE, Nakonezny PA, Minhajuddin A, Rhodes RL, Paulk ME, et al. Estimating geriatric mortality after injury using age, injury severity, and performance of a transfusion: the geriatric trauma outcome score. J Palliat Med. 2015;18(8):677-81. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2015.0027.
15. van Dam P, Lievens S, Zelis N, van Doorn W, Meex SJ, Cals JWL, et al. Head-to-head comparison of 19 prediction
models for short-term outcome in medical patients in the emergency department: a retrospective study. Ann Med. 2023;55(2):2290211. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2290211.
16. Bradburn E, Rogers FB, Krasne M, Rogers A, Horst MA, Beelen MJ, et al. High-risk geriatric protocol: improving mortality in the elderly. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012;73(2):435-40. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31825c7cf4.
17. Holleran RS. Elderly trauma. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2015;38(3):298- 311. doi: 10.1097/cnq.0000000000000075.
18. McGwin G Jr, MacLennan PA, Fife JB, Davis GG, Rue LW 3rd. Preexisting conditions and mortality in older trauma
patients. J Trauma. 2004;56(6):1291-6. doi: 10.1097/01.ta.0000089354.02065.d0.
19. Meldon SW, Reilly M, Drew BL, Mancuso C, Fallon W Jr. Trauma in the very elderly: a community-based study
of outcomes at trauma and nontrauma centers. J Trauma. 2002;52(1):79-84. doi: 10.1097/00005373-200201000-
00014.
20. Millham FH, LaMorte WW. Factors associated with mortality in trauma: re-evaluation of the TRISS method using the
National Trauma Data Bank. J Trauma. 2004;56(5):1090-6. doi: 10.1097/01.ta.0000119689.81910.06.
21. Fakhry SM, Morse JL, Garland JM, Wilson NY, Shen Y, Wyse RJ, et al. Redefining geriatric trauma: 55 is the new 65. J
Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2021;90(4):738-43. doi: 10.1097/ta.0000000000003062.
22. Lavoie A, Ratte S, Clas D, Demers J, Moore L, Martin M, et al. Preinjury warfarin use among elderly patients with closed head injuries in a trauma center. J Trauma. 2004;56(4):802-7.doi: 10.1097/01.ta.0000066183.02177.af.
23. Liu XY, Qin YM, Tian SF, Zhou JH, Wu Q, Gao W, et al. Performance of trauma scoring systems in predicting mortality
in geriatric trauma patients: comparison of the ISS, TRISS, and GTOS based on a systemic review and meta-analysis.
Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2024;50(4):1453-65. doi: 10.1007/s00068-024-02467-1.
24. Harthi N, Goodacre S, Sampson FC. Optimising prehospital trauma triage for older adults: challenges, limitations, and future directions. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12:1569891.doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1569891.
25. Richmond TS, Kauder D, Strumpf N, Meredith T. Characteristics and outcomes of serious traumatic injury in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2002;50(2):215-22. doi: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50051.x. 26. Taylor MD, Tracy JK, Meyer W, Pasquale M, Napolitano LM. Trauma in the elderly: intensive care unit resource use and outcome. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2002;53(3):407-14.
27. Zautcke JL, Coker SB, Jr., Morris RW, Stein-Spencer L. Geriatric trauma in the state of Illinois: substance use and
injury patterns. Am J Emerg Med. 2002;20(1):14-7. doi:10.1053/ajem.2002.30107.
28. Scheetz LJ. Relationship of age, injury severity, injury type, comorbid conditions, level of care, and survival among
older motor vehicle trauma patients. Res Nurs Health. 2005;28(3):198-209. doi: 10.1002/nur.20075.
29. Nirula R, Gentilello LM. Futility of resuscitation criteria for the “young” old and the “old” old trauma patient: a National Trauma Data Bank analysis. J Trauma. 2004;57(1):37-41. doi:10.1097/01.ta.0000128236.45043.6a.
30. Lane P, Sorondo B, Kelly JJ. Geriatric trauma patientsare they receiving trauma center care? Acad Emerg Med.
2003;10(3):244-50. doi: 10.1197/aemj.10.3.244.
31. Noureldin A, Matecki M, Li R, Atahar J, Lee SM, Kartiko S. Should we redefine the age of geriatric trauma? An insight from American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database 30-day mortality risk. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2025. doi: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004611.
32. Lee JH, Kim MJ, Hong JY, Myung J, Roh YH, Chung SP. The elderly age criterion for increased in-hospital mortality in
trauma patients: a retrospective cohort study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2021;29(1):133. doi: 10.1186/s13049-
021-00950-x.
33. Demetriades D, Sava J, Alo K, Newton E, Velmahos GC, Murray JA, et al. Old age as a criterion for trauma team activation. J Trauma. 2001;51(4):754-7. doi: 10.1097/00005373-200110000-00022.
34. Bonne S, Schuerer DJ. Trauma in the older adult: epidemiology and evolving geriatric trauma principles. Clin Geriatr Med. 2013;29(1):137-50. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2012.10.008.
35. Palacio CH, Joseph D, Castater C, Kuhls DA, Kirkendoll S, Albini P, et al. Growing injury threats to longevity in the
older population: American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Prevention Committee topical update. Trauma
Surg Acute Care Open. 2025;10(2):e001526. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2024-001526.
36. Benhamed A, Emond M, Mercier E, Heidet M, Gauss T, Saint- Supery P, et al. Accuracy of a prehospital triage protocol in predicting in-hospital mortality and severe trauma cases among
older adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(3):1975.doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031975.
37. Scheetz LJ. Effectiveness of prehospital trauma triage guidelines for the identification of major trauma in elderly motor vehicle crash victims. J Emerg Nurs. 2003;29(2):109-15. doi: 10.1067/men.2003.59.
38. Werman HA, Erskine T, Caterino J, Riebe JF, Valasek T.Development of statewide geriatric patients trauma triage
criteria. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2011;26(3):170-9. doi:10.1017/s1049023x11006315.
39. Caterino JM, Valasek T, Werman HA. Identification of an age cutoff for increased mortality in patients with elderly
trauma. Am J Emerg Med. 2010;28(2):151-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2008.10.027.
40. Susman M, DiRusso SM, Sullivan T, Risucci D, Nealon P, Cuff S, et al. Traumatic brain injury in the elderly: increased
mortality and worse functional outcome at discharge despite lower injury severity. J Trauma. 2002;53(2):219-24. doi:
10.1097/00005373-200208000-00004.
41. Bouras T, Stranjalis G, Korfias S, Andrianakis I, Pitaridis M, Sakas DE. Head injury mortality in a geriatric population:
differentiating an “edge” age group with better potential for benefit than older poor-prognosis patients. J Neurotrauma. 2007;24(8):1355-61. doi: 10.1089/neu.2005.370.
42. Baker SP, O’Neill B, Haddon W Jr, Long WB. The injury severity score: a method for describing patients with
multiple injuries and evaluating emergency care. J Trauma. 1974;14(3):187-96.
43. The American College of Surgeons. National Trauma Data Bank 2010 annual report 2010. Available from: https://www.facs.org/media/ubyj2ubl/best-practices-guidelines-geriatrictrauma.pdf.
44. Stevens CL, Torke AM. Geriatric trauma: a clinical and ethical review. J Trauma Nurs. 2016;23(1):36-41. doi: 10.1097/
jtn.0000000000000179.
45. Watts HF, Kerem Y, Kulstad EB. Evaluation of the revised trauma and injury severity scores in elderly trauma patients.
J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2012;5(2):131-4. doi: 10.4103/0974-2700.96481.
46. Duvall DB, Zhu X, Elliott AC, Wolf SE, Rhodes RL, Paulk ME, et al. Injury severity and comorbidities alone do not
predict futility of care after geriatric trauma. J Palliat Med. 2015;18(3):246-50. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2014.0336.
47. Hashmi A, Ibrahim-Zada I, Rhee P, Aziz H, Fain MJ, Friese RS, et al. Predictors of mortality in geriatric trauma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2014;76(3):894-901. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e3182ab0763.
48. Jacobs DG, Plaisier BR, Barie PS, Hammond JS, Holevar MR, Sinclair KE, et al. Practice management guidelines for geriatric trauma: the EAST Practice Management Guidelines Work Group. J Trauma. 2003;54(2):391-416. doi: 10.1097/01.
Ta.0000042015.54022.Be.
49. Labib N, Nouh T, Winocour S, Deckelbaum D, Banici L, Fata P, et al. Severely injured geriatric population: morbidity,
mortality, and risk factors. J Trauma. 2011;71(6):1908-14. doi:10.1097/TA.0b013e31820989ed.
50. Park J, Lee Y. Predicting mortality of Korean geriatric trauma patients: a comparison between geriatric trauma outcome score and trauma and injury severity score. Yonsei Med J. 2022;63(1):88-94. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2022.63.1.88.
51. Sterling DA, O’Connor JA, Bonadies J. Geriatric falls: injury severity is high and disproportionate to mechanism. J Trauma. 2001;50(1):116-9. doi: 10.1097/00005373-200101000-
00021.
52. Kim JG, Choi HY, Kang GH, Jang YS, Kim W, Lee Y, et al. Prognostic association between injury severity score and the
outcomes of elderly patients with trauma in South Korea. J Pers Med. 2024;14(7):674. doi: 10.3390/jpm14070674.