Accident and emergency consultations for head injuries in older adults.

BACKGROUND

Head injuries are a common reason for hospitalisation, and patients often arrive via accident and emergency departments. This study aimed to investigate changes in accident and emergency consultations due to head injuries for patients ≥ 50 years.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Electronic reimbursement claims by accident and emergency doctors for.

RESULTS

In the age group ≥ 50 years, the overall consultation rate in accident and emergency departments increased from 21 674 per 100 000 inhabitants in 2006 to 22 444 in 2023. The consultation rate for head injuries increased from 92 to 270 per 100 000 inhabitants. For the age group 50-66 years, the increase was from 83 to 166, for the age group 67-79 years from 86 to 269, for the age group 80-89 years from 138 to 698, and for the age group ≥ 90 years from 277 to 1420.

INTERPRETATION: Accident and emergency consultations due to head injuries increased in all age groups ≥ 50 years. Among patients ≥ 90 years, the consultation rate was more than five times higher in 2023 compared to 2006.