Age, Glasgow Coma Scale and vasopressors can predict mortality in traumatized patients treated in the ICU

Abstract

Introduction- Trauma represents one of the most significant problems in healthcare worldwide. It is one of the leading causes of mortality, particularly among children and young adults, but with a significant majority of non-fatal injuries that result in life-long disabilities and health

consequences. Proper and timely identification of patients with a higher risk of mortality is

crucial for better outcomes for patients who suffer trauma. The aim of this study is to identify

potential predictors of in-hospital mortality among patients who suffer trauma and are treated in

the ICU.

Methods- The retrospective cohort study was conducted in a trauma, 12-bed ICU at the University Emergency Centre, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade. All consecutive patients with blunt trauma were admitted to the ICU between August 2021 and August 2022. The primary outcomes of interest were all-cause in-hospital mortality. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results- GCS (Hazard ratio 0.924 95%CI 0.873 – 0.979), vasopressors (Hazard ratio 3.47 95%CI 1.373 – 8.787) and age (Hazard ratio 1.030 95%CI 1.014 – 1.047) independently predict in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion- This study suggests risk factors for unfavourable clinical outcomes after severe

trauma. It may be essential to properly and promptly differentiate individuals with lower

prognoses, which can lead to prompt and more aggressive treatment of these patients and might

cut in-hospital mortality. Age, vasopressors and mechanical ventilation, in particular, may be

helpful indicators of in-hospital mortality of traumatized patients treated in the ICU.