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

Area of Science:

• Trauma critical care
• Organ failure research
• Intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes

Background:

• Assessing organ failure incidence in ICU trauma patients.
• Investigating the link between organ failure and long-term survival.
• Evaluating functional status post-trauma in ICU survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of organ failure in trauma patients admitted to the ICU.
• To analyze the relationship between organ failure and long-term survival.
• To assess the impact of organ failure on functional status after trauma.

Main Methods:

• Cohort study of adult ICU trauma patients (1998-2003).
• Quantification of organ failure using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.
• Telephone interviews (2005) using Karnofsky Index and Glasgow Outcome Score for functional status and recovery assessment.

Main Results:

• 47% of patients experienced multiple organ failure (MOF); 28% had single organ failure.
• MOF increased overall mortality risk by 6.0 times (Cox regression).
• Patients with MOF had 4.0 times greater odds of needing personal assistance; single organ failure had no impact on long-term outcomes.

Conclusions:

• MOF is prevalent in nearly half of ICU trauma patients.
• MOF significantly increases mortality and risk of impaired functional status.
• SOFA score can identify trauma patients at high risk for poor long-term outcomes.