Attenuation of MODS-related and ARDS-related mortality makes infectious complications a remaining challenge in the severely injured

Abstract

Introduction: The recent decrease in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)-associated and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-associated mortality could be considered a success of improvements in trauma care. However, the incidence of infections remains high in patients with polytrauma, with high morbidity and hospital resources usage. Infectious complications might be a residual effect of the decrease in MODS-related/ARDS-related mortality. This study investigated the current incidence of infectious complications in polytrauma.

Methods: A 5.5-year prospective population-based cohort study included consecutive severely injured patients (age >15) admitted to a (Level-1) trauma center intensive care unit (ICU) who survived >48 hours. Demographics, physiologic and resuscitation parameters, multiple organ failure and ARDS scores, and infectious complications (pneumonia, fracture-related infection, meningitis, infections related to blood, wound, and urinary tract) were prospectively collected. Data are presented as median (IQR), p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: 297 patients (216 (73%) men) were included with median age of 46 (27-60) years, median Injury Severity Score was 29 (22-35), 96% sustained blunt injuries. 44 patients (15%) died. One patient (2%) died of MODS and 1 died of ARDS. 134 patients (45%) developed 201 infectious complications. Pneumonia was the most common complication (50%). There was no difference in physiologic parameters on arrival in emergency department and ICU between patients with and without infectious complications. Patients who later developed infections underwent more often a laparotomy (32% vs 18%, p=0.009), had more often pelvic fractures (38% vs 25%, p=0.02), and received more blood products <8 hours. They had more often MODS (25% vs 13%, p=0.005), stayed longer on the ventilator (10 (5-15) vs 5 (2-8) days, p<0.001), longer in ICU (11 (6-17) vs 6 (3-10) days, p<0.001), and in hospital (30 (20-44) vs 16 (10-24) days, p<0.001). There was however no difference in mortality (12% vs 17%, p=0.41) between both groups.

Conclusion: 45% of patients developed infectious complications. These patients had similar mortality rates, but used more hospital resources. With low MODS-related and ARDS-related mortality, infections might be a residual effect, and are one of the remaining challenges in the treatment of patients with polytrauma.

Level of evidence: Level 3.

Study type: Population-based cohort study.

Figure 1

Flow diagram of included patients. *Isolated traumatic brain injury (TBI) was defined as Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) head >3 and AIS<2 or less in other regions. ICU, intensive care unit.

Figure 2

(A) Type of infectious complications related to days after admission. (B) Occurrence of different types of infectious complications over time. UTI, urinary tract infection, Sec meningitis, secondary meningitis after traumatic brain injury. *Miscellaneous infectious complications included cholecystitis, pancreatitis, pericarditis, and otitis.