Outcomes and Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality in Mild-to-Moderate Trauma Patients: A Nationwide Observational...

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Geriatric Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Minor trauma often results in favorable outcomes, but in-hospital mortality occurs in some cases.
• Traditional trauma severity scores may not fully capture prognostic variability in older adults with comorbidities.
• This study investigated factors associated with in-hospital mortality in minor trauma patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine patient characteristics linked to in-hospital mortality in minor trauma cases.
• To identify predictors of mortality beyond standard trauma scores.
• To inform risk stratification and clinical management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using the Japan Trauma Data Bank (n=50,087).
• Logistic regression analysis to assess associations between mortality and patient factors (age, sex, Injury Severity Score [ISS], Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]).
• Subgroup analysis of moderate trauma patients (ISS 9-15) examining Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores for specific anatomical regions.

Main Results:

• Older age, male sex, ISS ≥ 9, and higher CCI scores were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.
• In moderate trauma patients, AIS scores for head/neck, abdomen, and external/other trauma regions were significantly associated with increased mortality.
• The final analysis included 50,087 patients with an ISS < 16.

Conclusions:

• Advanced age, male sex, comorbidities, and specific injury locations are associated with higher in-hospital mortality in minor trauma.
• Findings underscore the need for early risk identification in this patient group.
• Tailored clinical management strategies are essential for improving outcomes in patients with minor trauma.