Outcomes of trauma admission for falls: influence of race and age on inhospital and post-discharge mortality

BackgroundRacial disparities in trauma outcomes occur, but disparities in fall mortality are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine inhospital and 1-year fall mortality among patients discharged from an urban trauma center.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of fall patients in our trauma registry (1997 to 2008) linked to the National Death Index to determine postdischarge mortality. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests, multivariable logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsThere were 7,541 fall admissions. There was no clinically significant difference in inhospital mortality between blacks and whites with age stratification. One year after discharge, blacks younger than 65 years were more likely to die of disease (hazard ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 1.62).ConclusionsAlthough rates of inhospital mortality are similar, blacks younger than 65 years have a higher risk of dying after discharge due to disease when stratified by age highlighting the need for continued medical follow-up and prevention efforts.