Trauma recidivists: surprisingly better outcomes than initially injured trauma patients

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in hospital outcomes between trauma recidivists (RCID) and nonrecidivists (NRCID).

Methods

Outcomes of RCID and NRCID were compared. A recidivist was defined as a patient with a history of hospital evaluation for injury within the prior 5 years. Patients with good functional status had a Glasgow Outcome Score of 4 to 5.

Results

Of the 2,127 patients admitted, 466 (22%) were RCID. NRCID were more likely to have Injury Severity Score >25 (12% vs 8.6%; P = .04) than RCID. Eighty-eight percent of RCID were discharged with a good functional status compared with 83% of RCID (P = .02). NRCID were more likely to be admitted to a critical care unit (43% vs 36%; P = .01), but there was no significant difference in hospital mortality.

Conclusion

RCID were less severely injured and had better hospital outcomes than NRCID.