Analysis on the distribution characteristics of elderly injury patients in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2013

Objective The study aimed at learning the distribution characteristics of the elderly injury patients through collecting the cases in Jiangsu Injury Surveillance hospitals and providing the basic information for the development of effective injury prevention strategy. Methods The injury data was analyzed of the elderly aged 60 years and above from the Jiangsu Injury Surveillance hospitals from 2006 to 2013. The cases were diagnosed as injuries for the first-time. Results A total of 52 818 cases was investigated. The top three causes of injuries were as follows: fall (40.48%), traffic-related (27.79%), knife or sharp instrument (9.95%). Most injuries occurred at home (44.00%). Recreation (45.15%) was the major activity leading to injury. The most common injuries were bruise(38.07%), fractures(26.99%), and sharp or bite or open injuries(20.37%). The lower limbs(27.98%),upper limbs(24.48%)and head(22.24%)were easily impaired. Conclusions The main causes of injuries were fall and traffic-related injury no matter in city or rural areas, thus it is important to take the targeted intervention measures to decrease the injury incidence.