Trauma in the elderly caused by traffic accident: integrative review* Trauma no idoso por acidente de trânsito: revisão integrativa Trauma en el anciano por accidente de tránsito: revisión integradora

3 PhD Student, Graduate Program in Fundamental Nursing, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the scientific knowledge produced about trauma in the elderly caused by traffic accidents in healthcare area studies. Methods: Integrative review of studies from 2003 to 2013 searched in LILACS, SciELO, PubMed and CINHAL databases. We used combination of the descriptors injuries, wounds and accidents, in English, Portuguese and Spanish languages. Results: 32 studies were selected. In the thematic analysis, three categories emerged: epidemiological data from traffic accidents involving elderly; traffic accidents with elderly pedestrians; and trauma care in the elderly. We observed increased incidence of trauma in most countries and pedestrians represented a large part of the victims. Among these, the elderly are the most vulnerable group. Conclusion: Studies showed that trauma care in the elderly need protocols and professionals with training in gerontology specialized in trauma care services.