Objective:

To examine the incidence, injury patterns, management, and outcomes of blunt chest trauma (BCT) in older adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Approach:

Key Findings:

• 73 out of 861 patients (8.5%) were aged ≥60 years.
• Road traffic collisions (RTC) were the most common mechanism of trauma (69.9%).
• Multiple rib fractures were the most common thoracic injury (34.2%).
• Spine injury was the most common extrathoracic injury (34.2%).
• Pulmonary contusion was significantly less frequent in older patients compared to younger adults (P = 0.004).
• Female sex and UAE national patients were more frequent among older adults (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002).
• Falls from a height of ≤1 meter were significantly more common in older patients.

Interpretation:

Despite lower engagement in high-risk activities, RTC remains a major cause of BCT in the elderly, with low-energy falls contributing significantly to the overall burden.

Limitations:

• Study conducted in a single community-based hospital, which may limit generalizability.
• Data collected retrospectively, which may introduce biases.

Conclusion:

Understanding the differences in BCT outcomes between older and younger adults is critical for optimizing trauma care.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.