RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS RESULTING FROM MULTIPLE FRACTURES IN ELDERLY PEOPLE IN TOCANTINS BETWEEN 2016 AND 2021 (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Fractures are an important cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly, and differ in frequency, anatomical location, and injury pattern from those found in young people. It is known that the chance of fractures increases with age due to the natural weakening of the body, as evidenced by a decrease in metabolism. It follows from this, the fact that the elderly need a longer recovery time, and in some cases it is wanted to complete. Among the risk factors, osteoporosis can be highlighted, a common disease in the elderly and which predominates in females. Objective: To analyze the number of hospitalizations and deaths, on an urgent basis, in patients aged 50 years and over due to multiple fractures in the state of Tocantins (TO) from Jan/2016 to Nov/2022, comparing genders. Methodology: Retrospective epidemiological study with comparative analysis based on hospitalization data and deaths due to multiple fractures recorded in DATASUS during the period from Jan/2016 to Nov/2022 in TO. The age groups analyzed were 50 to 59 years (A), 60 to 69 (B), 70 to 79 (C) and 80 and over (D). Results: The number of hospitalizations due to fractures in multiple regions of the body were 403 cases in group A, 291 male (M) and 112 female (F); 298 cases in B, being 172 M and 126 F; 269 cases in C, 106 M and 163 F; 348 cases in D, 128 M and 220 F. As for the number of deaths, there were 6 cases in A, 5 M and 1 F; 9 cases in B, 6 M and 3 F; 23 cases in C, 13 M and 10 F; 73 cases in D, 29 M and 44 F, totaling 111 deaths. Conclusion: The data reveal that, although A denote a greater number of hospitalizations, the number of deaths prevailed in group D, which represents the highest age group and, consequently, the most prone to present a more considerable natural wear of the body. In addition, it is noted that female mortality prevailed, especially with advancing age, which can be explained by the higher prevalence of disorders such as osteopenia and osteoporosis in females, especially after menopause, which consequently infers a greater risk to this group.