The Glucose/Potassium Ratio Exhibits a Predictive Role That is Both Earlier and More Efficacious Compared to The İnflammatory Response in The Context of Isolated Thoracic Trauma

Abstract

Background/Aim: This study was designed to elucidate the relationship between the AIS 90 thoracic score, which is commonly used to assess the severity of trauma in trauma patients, and the relatively limited studies and data available on the Glucose Potassium Ratio (GPR). Additionally, the study aims to highlight the superiority, if any, of GPR in terms of trauma severity and prognosis, along with the Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), which plays an important role in trauma severity and prognosis. Material-Methods: Between June 2020 and June 2022, individuals aged 18 and older admitted to the emergency department with isolated thoracic trauma were included in the study. Data pertaining to these patients were retrospectively analyzed with the AIS 90 thoracic score serving as the reference point. The retrospective screening data of the patients enrolled in the study facilitated the categorization of individuals into three groups based on criteria delineating outpatient treatment, hospitalization and admission to the intensive care unit. The mean values of the GPR and the NLR across these three groups were assessed utilizing Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Tukey tests were used for homogeneous groups and Tamhane tests were used for non-homogeneous groups to determine specific groups that caused significant differences. ANOVA homogeneity was checked by the Levene test and if homogeneity could not be achieved, the Welch test was used. Results: The analysis of 89 patients with isolated thoracic trauma revealed no statistically significant difference in the GPR values between the three groups (Levene p < 0.05, ANOVA p=0.025). However, further exploration through Tukey multiple comparisons indicated that the observed significant difference was attributable to patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Likewise, a statistically significant difference was observed between the three groups in the analysis of NLR values. (Levene p=0.252, Welch p=0.028). Following Tukey’s multiple comparisons, it was determined that the significant difference could be attributed to patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Conclusion: The findings of the study support the conclusion that individuals with an AIS 90 thoracic score above 3 and who need to be admitted to intensive care show higher GPR values than other groups. The association between high GPR values and heightened lung parenchymal injury was evident. Consequently, it can be inferred that a high GPR value may serve as an indicator of lung parenchymal damage, suggesting a greater need for intensive care unit admission in such patients.