Mortality-Associated Factors in a Traumatic Brain Injury Population in Mexico

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability, with a rising incidence in recent years. Factors such as age, sex, hypotension, low score on the Glasgow Coma Scale, use of invasive mechanical ventilation and vasopressors, etc., have been associated with mortality caused by TBI. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics that influence the mortality or survival of patients with TBI in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico. Methods: A sample of 94 patients aged 18 years or older, from both sexes, with an admitting diagnosis of mild-to-severe head trauma, with initial prehospital treatment, was taken. Data were extracted from the Single Registry of Patients with TBI at the Ixtapaluca Regional High Specialty Hospital (HRAEI). Normality tests were used to decide on the corresponding statistical analysis. Results: No factors associated with mortality were found; however, survival analysis showed that the presence of seizures, aggregate limb trauma, and subjects with diabetes mellitus, heart disease or patients with four concomitant comorbidities had 100% mortality. In addition, having seizures in the prehospital setting increased the risk of mortality four times. Although they did not have a direct association with mortality, they significantly decreased survival. A larger sample size is probably required to obtain an association with mortality. Conclusions: These results reflect the severity of the clinical situation in this population and, although no risk factors were identified, they enlighten us about the conditions presented by patients who died.

Keywords

• traumatic brain injury
• seizures
• aggregate limb trauma
• diabetes mellitus
• heart disease