The Geriatric Trauma Patient: Common Comorbidities Lead to Higher Mortality—The Single Center Experience of a German Level I University Trauma Center

Background: Geriatric trauma patients often present with multiple comorbidities, which can complicate their treatment and impact outcomes. This study examines the effect of common pre-existing comorbidities on mortality and recovery in polytrauma patients, comparing them to polytrauma patients without these conditions. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16, admitted to a Level I trauma center between 2006 and 2019. A total of 315 patients were analyzed, including 235 with at least one comorbidity (COPD, type II diabetes, or anticoagulation due to atrial fibrillation) and 80 patients without any comorbidities, who served as the control group. Results: While comorbid patients had similar ISS scores compared to controls, they experienced significantly longer hospital and ICU stays. No significant difference in overall survival was found between the groups. However, patients with comorbidities were more prone to secondary complications, such as sepsis and thrombosis. Conclusions: The presence of common comorbidities, while associated with longer recovery times and increased complication rates, did not significantly impact mortality in polytrauma patients.