Better with age? A comparison of geriatric and non-geriatric trauma patients' psychological outcomes 6 months post-injury.

Better with age? A comparison of geriatric and non-geriatric trauma patients' psychological outcomes 6 months post-injury. Cogn Behav Ther. 2018 Nov 05;:1-13 Authors: Culp BL, Roden-Foreman JW, Thomas EV, McShan EE, Bennett MM, Martin KR, Powers MB, Foreman ML, Petrey LB, Warren AM Abstract This is the first study to compare both physical and psychological outcomes in geriatric and non-geriatric patients (n = 268) at baseline and 6 months post-trauma. Demographic, clinical, and psychological data, including screens for alcohol use, depressive symptoms, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were collected from 67 geriatric patients (70.7 ± 8.0 years) and 201 non-geriatric patients (40.2 ± 12.8 years) admitted to a Level I trauma center for ≥ 24 h. Geriatric patients were significantly less likely to screen positive for alcohol use at baseline, and depression, PTSS, and alcohol use at follow-up. When not controlling for discharge to rehabilitation or nursing facility, geriatric patients had significantly lower odds of alcohol use at follow-up. There was no significant difference in injury severity, resilience, or pre-trauma psychological status between the two groups. Results indicate that geriatric trauma patients fare better than their younger counterparts at 6 months post-trauma on measures of alcohol use, depression, and PTSS. Screenings and interventions for both age groups could improve psychological health pos...
Source: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Cogn Behav Ther Source Type: research