Falls from Height. Analysis of Predictors of Death in a Single-Center Retrospective Study
Falls from height (FFH) represent a distinct form of blunt trauma in urban areas. This study aimed to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after accidental or intentional falls in different age groups. We conducted a retrospective study of all patients consecutively admitted afte...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/10/3175 |
| _version_ | 1797552186106839040 |
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| author | Alberto Casati Stefano Granieri Stefania Cimbanassi Elisa Reitano Osvaldo Chiara |
| author_facet | Alberto Casati Stefano Granieri Stefania Cimbanassi Elisa Reitano Osvaldo Chiara |
| author_sort | Alberto Casati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Falls from height (FFH) represent a distinct form of blunt trauma in urban areas. This study aimed to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after accidental or intentional falls in different age groups. We conducted a retrospective study of all patients consecutively admitted after a fall in eight years, recording mechanism, intentionality, height of fall, age, site, classification of injuries, and outcome. We built multivariate regression models to identify independent predictors of mortality. A total of 948 patients with 82 deaths were observed. Among the accidental falls, mortality was 5.2%, whereas intentional jumpers showed a mortality of 20.4%. The death rate was higher for increasing heights, age >65, suicidal attempts, and injuries with AIS ≥3 (Abbreviated Injury Scale). Older patients reported a higher in-hospital mortality rate. Multivariate analysis identified height of fall, dynamic and severe head and chest injuries as independent predictors of mortality in the young adults’ group (18–65 years). For patients aged more than 65 years, the only risk factor independently related to death was severe head injuries. Our data demonstrate that in people older than 65, the height of fall may not represent a predictor of death. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:56:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f43c500fdbdd43b5a232cf97cb2ee9c3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:56:24Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-f43c500fdbdd43b5a232cf97cb2ee9c32023-11-20T15:39:06ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832020-09-01910317510.3390/jcm9103175Falls from Height. Analysis of Predictors of Death in a Single-Center Retrospective StudyAlberto Casati0Stefano Granieri1Stefania Cimbanassi2Elisa Reitano3Osvaldo Chiara4General Surgery Unit, Policlinico Sant’Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, ItalyGeneral Surgery and Trauma Team, ASST Niguarda, Milano, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milan, ItalyGeneral Surgery and Trauma Team, ASST Niguarda, Milano, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milan, ItalyGeneral Surgery and Trauma Team, ASST Niguarda, Milano, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milan, ItalyGeneral Surgery and Trauma Team, ASST Niguarda, Milano, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milan, ItalyFalls from height (FFH) represent a distinct form of blunt trauma in urban areas. This study aimed to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after accidental or intentional falls in different age groups. We conducted a retrospective study of all patients consecutively admitted after a fall in eight years, recording mechanism, intentionality, height of fall, age, site, classification of injuries, and outcome. We built multivariate regression models to identify independent predictors of mortality. A total of 948 patients with 82 deaths were observed. Among the accidental falls, mortality was 5.2%, whereas intentional jumpers showed a mortality of 20.4%. The death rate was higher for increasing heights, age >65, suicidal attempts, and injuries with AIS ≥3 (Abbreviated Injury Scale). Older patients reported a higher in-hospital mortality rate. Multivariate analysis identified height of fall, dynamic and severe head and chest injuries as independent predictors of mortality in the young adults’ group (18–65 years). For patients aged more than 65 years, the only risk factor independently related to death was severe head injuries. Our data demonstrate that in people older than 65, the height of fall may not represent a predictor of death.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/10/3175trauma centeremergency medicineemergency departmentfallsmortality in falls |
| spellingShingle | Alberto Casati Stefano Granieri Stefania Cimbanassi Elisa Reitano Osvaldo Chiara Falls from Height. Analysis of Predictors of Death in a Single-Center Retrospective Study Journal of Clinical Medicine trauma center emergency medicine emergency department falls mortality in falls |
| title | Falls from Height. Analysis of Predictors of Death in a Single-Center Retrospective Study |
| title_full | Falls from Height. Analysis of Predictors of Death in a Single-Center Retrospective Study |
| title_fullStr | Falls from Height. Analysis of Predictors of Death in a Single-Center Retrospective Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Falls from Height. Analysis of Predictors of Death in a Single-Center Retrospective Study |
| title_short | Falls from Height. Analysis of Predictors of Death in a Single-Center Retrospective Study |
| title_sort | falls from height analysis of predictors of death in a single center retrospective study |
| topic | trauma center emergency medicine emergency department falls mortality in falls |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/10/3175 |
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