Predictors of mortality in blunt multi-trauma patients: a retrospective review

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors predicting mortality in multiple blunt trauma patients so as to prompt appropriate management during trauma resuscitation. Method: To assess risk factors potentially related to mortality in multiple blunt trauma patients, we reviewed the medical records of 1419 multiple blunt trauma patients who were admitted to the emergency department. The patients were divided into two groups; the survival group (n=1308) and the death group (n=111). Initial data collected on arrival in the emergency department were analyzed. Results: in the study, 67.4% (n=956) of 1419 patients were male, 32.6% (n=463) were female. The average age was 21.19 +/- 0.50 years (range 1-92). after controlling for the factors significantly related to outcome (all p<0.05), death due to multiple blunt trauma was more likely in patients who were of older age, who had major chest injury, who had intra-abdominal solid organ injury and who had low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and low Revised Trauma Score (RTS). Conclusion: We conclude that older age, major chest injury, intra-abdominal solid organ injury, low GCS and low RTS were identified as possible risk factors for mortality in multiple blunt trauma patients. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2010;17:471-476)