Necdet Süt1, Dilek Memiş. 1. Department of Biostatistics, Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey. necdetsut@yahoo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intensive care of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and cost; however, there is very little published work on this topic. The purpose of this study was to examine direct costs and survival outcomes of patients with TBI admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of Trakya University Hospital's ICU from 2002-2006 was undertaken. Patients with TBI were determined and assessed regarding costs and survival. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 126 patients, and 27.8% of them had been operated. Male gender (80.2%) was dominant, mean length of stay was 9.8+/-8.7 days, and motor vehicle injury (59.5%) was the major reason for ICU admission. Mortality rate was 50% and the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of the patients was 6.1+/-1.9. The average cost per ICU stay was US$ 4846+/-5084. Cost per life saved and per life-year saved were US$ 9533 and US$ 313.60, respectively. Survival rates were significantly different among injury types (p=0.010). GCS appeared to be a prognostic parameter in patient survival (Hazard Ratio: 0.643; 95%CI: 0.529-0.781; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Intensive care of TBI cases is characterized by high mortality and high cost.
BACKGROUND: Intensive care of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and cost; however, there is very little published work on this topic. The purpose of this study was to examine direct costs and survival outcomes of patients with TBI admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of Trakya University Hospital's ICU from 2002-2006 was undertaken. Patients with TBI were determined and assessed regarding costs and survival. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 126 patients, and 27.8% of them had been operated. Male gender (80.2%) was dominant, mean length of stay was 9.8+/-8.7 days, and motor vehicle injury (59.5%) was the major reason for ICU admission. Mortality rate was 50% and the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of the patients was 6.1+/-1.9. The average cost per ICU stay was US$ 4846+/-5084. Cost per life saved and per life-year saved were US$ 9533 and US$ 313.60, respectively. Survival rates were significantly different among injury types (p=0.010). GCS appeared to be a prognostic parameter in patient survival (Hazard Ratio: 0.643; 95%CI: 0.529-0.781; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Intensive care of TBI cases is characterized by high mortality and high cost.