Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran,
2 Faculty of medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences ,Zanjan, Iran
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of elderly patients hospitalized
for spinal fractures at Mousavi Referral Hospital in Zanjan, Iran, from 2021 to 2023.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, medical records of 261 elderly patients hospitalized with vertebral
fractures were reviewed. Data on demographic characteristics, injury mechanisms, vertebral involvement,
associated injuries, spinal cord damage, and patient outcomes were extracted and analyzed.
Results: Of the 261 patients, 138 (52.9%) were men and 123 (47.1%) were women. The mean age was 70.4±8.37
(range: 60-95). Women were significantly older than men (70±11 vs. 67±11, p=0.03). Male patients sustained
a significantly higher number of fractured vertebrae than females (p=0.02). The incidence of fractures varied
significantly across seasons (p=0.001). The most common fracture site was the thoracolumbar junction (56.2%),
and the main cause was falling (58.6%). Spinal cord injuries occurred in 7.3% of patients. The most frequent
associated fractures were pelvic (25.9%). The length of hospital stay increased significantly with the presence
of associated fractures (p=0.001), spinal cord injuries (p=0.02), and a greater number of fractured vertebrae
(p=0.04).
Conclusion: Elderly spinal fracture patients, particularly men and those with multiple vertebral fractures,
are at an increased risk of spinal cord injury, associated fractures, prolonged hospitalization, and mortality.
Falls remain the most frequent cause, and the thoracolumbar junction the most common site. These findings
highlighted the need for targeted prevention strategies, cautious clinical management, and early identification
of high-risk patients to improve outcomes.
Keywords
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