The objective of the population based study presented in this scientific poster is to compare the characteristics of motor vehicle injuries in the elderly (over 65 years) with a younger population (under 65 years). The study included all motor vehicle crash (MVC) hospital admissions in Pennsylvania during 1997. Admission rates, mortality rates, case fatality rates, and ISS LD50 (the Injury Severity Score at which it is expected that 50% of patients will die) were computed for the group as a whole and for different subgroups. Of a total of 123,006 injury related hospital admissions, 13,805 were for MVC patients. It is concluded that elderly people are more likely to suffer an injury requiring admission to hospital than younger people. If admitted, elderly patients (in all categories) suffer higher mortality rates and case fatality rates than younger patients. The mean length of stay in hospital was also higher for elderly patients. ISS is a strong predictor of mortality in all age groups. Finally, the ISS LD50 in the elderly patient group is significantly higher than in younger patients.
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