Early leukocytosis in trauma patients: what difference does it make?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of the admission white blood cell count in trauma patients with demographics, severity and mechanism of injury, and need for therapeutic intervention.
METHODS: Evaluation of prospectively collected registry data (admissions to a Level I trauma center in 2001). Differences in mean white blood cell count on admission were evaluated with t tests. Multiple linear regressions were performed with forward stepwise selection of variables.
RESULTS: Of the 882 patients admitted for greater than 24 hours, white blood cell count was available for 786. Variations in white blood cell count were noted on bivariate analysis among different races, injury mechanisms and severities, Glasgow Coma Scores, blood pressures, and between patients requiring early transfusions versus those who did not. No difference was noted between patients who went to the operating room in the first 24 hours versus those who did not, or for patients who died in the hospital. On multiple linear regression analyses, only ISS greater than 15, GCS less than or equal to 8, and white race were associated with increases in white blood cell count. Leukocytosis was found not to be associated with mechanism of injury, specific organ injury, shock on admission, or the need for transfusion or surgery.
CONCLUSION: Variations in white blood cell count in trauma patients are associated with race and injury severity, but they are not beneficial in predicting the need for volume resuscitation, transfusion, or surgery.