Mortality by decade in trauma patients with Glasgow Coma Scale 3

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Geriatric trauma
• Emergency medicine

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury significantly impacts patient outcomes.
• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a critical indicator of neurological function.
• Age is a known factor influencing trauma patient mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between increasing age and mortality in trauma patients with a GCS score of 3.
• To identify age-specific mortality risks in severe traumatic brain injury.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of the Los Angeles County Trauma System Database.
• Inclusion of patients aged 20-99 years with an initial GCS of 3.
• Logistic regression analysis to adjust for confounding factors and assess age-related mortality.

Main Results:

• Overall mortality for GCS 3 trauma patients was 41.8%.
• Patients in their fifth decade showed significantly lower mortality (adjusted OR, 0.76).
• Patients in their eighth and ninth/tenth decades had significantly higher mortality (adjusted ORs 1.93 and 2.47, respectively).
• Patients in their third, sixth, and seventh decades had similar mortality rates.

Conclusions:

• Age is a significant predictor of mortality in trauma patients with GCS 3, with older age groups facing higher risks.
• Despite age-related differences, aggressive medical intervention is warranted for all GCS 3 trauma patients due to overall survival rates.
• Further research into age-specific treatment protocols for severe traumatic brain injury may improve outcomes.