Multiple organ failure after trauma affects even long-term survival and functional status
2007

Impact of Multiple Organ Failure on Trauma Patients' Long-Term Survival

Sample size: 322 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Atle Ulvik, Reidar Kvåle, Tore Wentzel-Larsen, Hans Flaatten

Primary Institution: Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

Hypothesis

What is the incidence of organ failure in trauma patients treated in an ICU, and how does it relate to long-term survival and functional status?

Conclusion

Almost half of the ICU trauma patients had multiple organ failure, which significantly increased mortality and the risk of impaired functional status.

Supporting Evidence

  • 47% of patients had multiple organ failure.
  • MOF increased the risk of death by 6.0 times.
  • 75% of patients were still alive at follow-up.

Takeaway

Many patients who get hurt badly and need intensive care can have problems with multiple organs, which makes it harder for them to live well later on.

Methodology

Cohort study of adult ICU trauma patients from 1998 to 2003, using SOFA score for organ failure assessment and follow-up interviews for functional status.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to loss to follow-up and exclusion of certain patients.

Limitations

Single center study; findings may not apply to other ICU trauma populations with different injury mechanisms.

Participant Demographics

Adult trauma patients admitted to ICU, primarily victims of traffic accidents and falls.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.006

Confidence Interval

95% CI 2.46 to 17.14

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/cc6111

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