Trauma em idosos socorridos pelo Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of trauma among elderly victims rescued by the Mobile First-Aid Service (MFAS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Sousa / PB using data from 190 records of elderly victims of trauma rescued by MFAS in the period from January 1 to December 31, 2011. The survey instrument included a specific form containing demographic variables (gender and age group) and data related to the trauma (time, location, day of week, month, trauma mechanism, existing lesions, presence of ethylic breath and patient referral). From those who had suffered falls, information about socio-demographic characteristics and consequences of the fall were collected. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 17.0 for Windows. Associations were verified by using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test with Freeman-Halton extension, whenever appropriate, adopting significance level of  < 5%. RESULTS: Data were collected from records of 190 elderly victims of diverse trauma (51.1% male). Their ages ranged from 60 to 104 years, with mean age of 75.3 years (SD 10.44 years) and median of 74.0 years. According to the characteristics of the occurrence of traumas, significant association was observed between presence of ethylic breath and sex (p <0.001) and age group (p = 0.004) and trauma mechanism with sex (p <0.001). From the total traumatized elderly, 124 (65 3%) suffered falls. However, due to losses and / or refusals, 93 elderly patients who suffered falls were evaluated, whose interview was conducted at their homes. Their ages ranged from 60 to 104 years, with mean age of 79.0 years (SD = 10.5 years) and median of 78.0 years. Among those who suffered falls, 62.4% were female, 47.3% had 80 years or more, 65.6% lived without a partner, 51.6% had incomplete primary education or above and 66.7% had no income or earned up to one minimum wage. Data regarding elderly who suffered falls showed association between sex and age group (p = 0.004), marital status (p = 0.002), hospitalization (p = 0.047) and place of fall (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Among the traumas occurred, most were due to falls, followed by traffic accidents. Among those who suffered falls, the majority reported that the fall was due to the height, to have occurred at home and mainly due to dizziness / imbalance and environmental factors.