Stepping into Trouble: Craniomaxillofacial Trauma in the Geriatric Population From Stairway Falls

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine what potential factors are associated with increased risk of hospital admission among the geriatric population who suffer stairway falls.

Materials and methods: This is a 10-year cross-sectional study that was conducted using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Entries whose primary product was categorized under the code 1239 (stairs or steps) were included in this study. Reports were excluded if the injury did not occur within the craniomaxillofacial region. The principal outcome variable was admission rate. Patient and injury characteristics were compared using χ2 and independent sample t tests.

Results: Admission rates were significantly associated with sex (P < .01), age group (P < .01), race (P < .05), craniomaxillofacial region (P < .01), and primary diagnosis (P < .01). Relative to the females, males (OR, 1.458; P < .01) were independently associated with an increased odds of admission. Relative to patients aged 65 to 69 years old, patients aged 70 to 79 (OR, 1.247; P < .01), 80 to 89 (OR, 1.438; P < .01), and 90 & over (OR, 1.569; P < .01) were each independently associated with an increased odds of admission. Relative to white patients, black patients (OR, 1.238; P < .01) were each independently associated with an increased odds of admission. Relative to mouth injuries, eyeball injuries (OR, 4.574; P < .01) and head injuries (OR, 4.105; P < .01) were independent risk factors for admission. Relative to abrasions, fractures (OR, 6.013; P < .01) and internal organ injuries (OR, 4.814; P < .01) were each independently associated with an increased odds of admission.

Conclusions: Age, gender, craniomaxillofacial region, type of injury, and primary diagnosis are all independent risk factors for hospital admissions. Preventative measures need to be taken to safeguard the older geriatric population from craniomaxillofacial trauma associated with stairway falls.