# Clinical differences between elderly and non-elderly chronic subdural hematoma patients

## TL;DR

This study compares clinical features of elderly and younger patients with chronic subdural hematoma, finding differences in trauma history, medication use, and outcomes.

## Contribution

The study identifies distinct clinical patterns in elderly versus non-elderly chronic subdural hematoma patients, emphasizing age-related differences in risk factors and treatment outcomes.

## Key findings

- Elderly patients had higher rates of anticoagulant use and hematoma recurrence.
- Non-elderly patients were more likely to have traumatic events as a cause.
- Elderly patients had thicker and larger hematomas and longer hospital stays.

## Abstract

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease in elderly population, which can also be seen in young and middle-aged individuals. In order to understand the clinical features of this disease deeply, we conducted this retrospective study to clarify the clinical differences between elderly and non-elderly CSDH patients.

According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 268 elderly CSDH patients and 87 non-elderly CSDH patients were recruited from January 2015 to December 2024 in our cohort. The collected data and compared parameters including baseline clinical features and radiological outcomes of hematoma within 24 h of hospital admission, as well as the treatment method and clinical outcome of elderly and non-elderly CSDH patients.

Compared to non-elderly CSDH patients, female was more frequent, the traumatic events were less common, and the history of taking anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs were more common in elderly CSDH patients (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the hematoma was thicker and larger, the usage of atorvastatin was more common, the recurrence rate was higher, and the mean hospital stay was longer in elderly CSDH patients than in non-elderly CSDH patients (all P < 0.05).

Elderly CSDH patients were less likely to have the traumatic events and more likely to have the history of taking anticoagulants/antiplatelet drugs, who were also owing the higher rate of using atorvastatin and hematoma recurrence, compared to non-elderly CSDH patients.