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Methamphetamines in trauma: effect on injury patterns and outcome
Pantelis Hadjizacharia1, Donald J Green, David Plurad
1Division of Trauma/SICU, Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Journal of Trauma
|March 12, 2009
Summary
Methamphetamine exposure in trauma patients does not increase mortality or complications. However, methamphetamine-positive patients are more likely to require intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Toxicology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- The impact of methamphetamine exposure on trauma patient outcomes remains unclear.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between methamphetamine exposure and outcomes in trauma patients.
- To compare outcomes between methamphetamine-positive and drug-negative trauma patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 5,372 trauma patients undergoing drug screening.
- Comparison of methamphetamine-only positive (METH [+]) patients with toxicology-negative (TOX [-]) patients.
- Logistic regression and matched-pair analysis to assess outcomes including mortality, complications, ICU admission, and length of stay.
Main Results:
- 9.8% of patients tested positive for methamphetamine.
- Multivariate analysis showed METH (+) patients had higher ICU admission rates but no difference in mortality or complications.
- Matched analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, complications, or length of stay, but METH (+) patients had a higher rate of laparotomy.
Conclusions:
- Methamphetamine exposure in trauma patients is not associated with increased mortality or complications.
- Trauma patients with methamphetamine exposure are more likely to be admitted to the ICU.
- Further research may explore reasons for increased ICU admission in this cohort.
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