Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Epidemiology of Trauma in the Elderly in Iran

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors
Habibollah Rahimi 1
Faezeh Asgari 2
Esmaeil Fakharian 3
Payman Salamati 4
Mojtaba Sehat 5
Mohammad Reza Fazel 6
Mehrdad Mahdian 7
Masoumeh Abedzadeh- Kalahroudi 8
Fahimeh Sarbandi 9
Khadijeh Kalanfarmanfarma 10
1 Assistant Professor, Trauma Research Center, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
2 MSc of Environmental Health, Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
3 Professor of Department of Neurosurgery, Trauma Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
4 Professor of Community Medicine, Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Associate Professor, PhD in Epidemiology, Trauma Research Center, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
6 Professor of Anesthesiology Department, Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
7 Associate Professor, PhD in Epidemiology, Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
8 Professor, PhD in Epidemiology, Trauma Nursing Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
9 Master of Sociology, Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
10 Assistant Professor, PhD in Epidemiology, Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
10.48305/jims.v43.i833.1241
Abstract
Background: Geriatric trauma, commonly defined as trauma affecting individuals aged 65 and older, is an emerging global health challenge. The current study was conducted to examine the epidemiology of trauma in elderly Iranians.
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted using data recorded in the Iranian National Trauma Registry system. Information on individuals aged 60 and older during the years 2017-2021 was selected and collected based on a checklist designed by the Tehran Sinai Research Center in collaboration with member centers of the Iranian National Trauma Registry program.
Findings: The present study included a total of 7,566 elderly participants, with a mean age of 73.15 ± 9.45 years. 55.4% of the patients were male, and 97% were Iranian citizens. 75.1% of the patients were married, and over 50% were illiterate. In terms of data distribution, Tabriz, Kashan, and Tehran had the highest percentages of recorded cases (26.6%, 19.9%, and 14.4%, respectively). Significant statistical relationships were observed between the study years and the patients' age, education level, and gender distribution. The most important causes of trauma in the elderly were falls (60%) and road traffic accidents (30%). Among traffic accidents, pedestrians and motorcyclists accounted for the highest number of injuries at 12.2% and 6.6%, respectively. Regarding the incident location, over 50% of cases occurred at home.
Conclusion: Given the growing elderly population in Iran, community-based planning for the control and prevention of injury and disability in this age group is essential as a major public health priority.

Highlights

Habibollah Rahimi: Google Scholar, PubMed

Khadijeh Kalan Farmanfarma: Google Scholar, PubMed

Keywords
Epidemiology
Trauma
Elderly

Subjects

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 43, Issue 833
1st Week, December
November and December 2026
Pages 1241-1246

  • Receive Date 27 August 2024
  • Accept Date 01 October 2025