Clinical article: mortality associated with severe head injury in the elderly.

Age is an important factor in determining prognosis following severe head injury (SHI), although mortality in patients ≥65 years is poorly reported. The aim of this study was to document mortality in patients with SHI ≥65 years. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the TARN (Trauma Audit and Research Network) database (1996–2004) was performed. Six hundred and sixty-nine patients aged ≥65 with a GCS <9 after a head injury were identified, and mortality at 3 months was recorded. Mortality was 71% in 65- to 70-year-old patients ( n = 137) (CI, 64–79), 75% for patients aged 70–75 years ( n = 147) (CI, 68–82), 85% in patients aged 75–80 years ( n = 160) (79–91), and 87% for patients >80 years ( n = 225) (CI, 83–91). Mortality for all patients ≥65 years with a GCS 3–5 was >80%. A better outcome was observed in patients with a GCS = 6–8 [65–70 years, 47% (CI, 30–64); 70–75 years, 56% (CI, 43–69); 75–80 years, 73% (CI, 62–85); >80 years, 79% (CI, 70–87)]. SHI-related mortality continues to increase with age. Overall, these data support a conservative approach to the severely head-injured elderly patient; however, patients presenting with a GCS = 6–8 and below the age of 75 may represent a group where more aggressive therapy may be indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]