The impact of obesity on the outcomes of 1,153 critically injured blunt trauma patients

BACKGROUND: Several small series have had mixed conclusions regarding the impact of obesity on outcomes of trauma patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a large cohort of critically injured patients to better understand the influence of obesity on the outcomes of patients after severe blunt trauma. METHODS: Retrospective review using the trauma registry and intensive care unit (ICU) database of all blunt trauma patients admitted to the ICU at our urban, Level I trauma center over a 5-year period (1998-2003). Obese patients (body mass index [BMI] > or = 30 kg/m) were compared with non-obese patients (BMI < 30 kg/m). RESULTS: There were 1,153 blunt trauma patients admitted to the ICU during the study period, including 283 (25%) obese (mean BMI = 35 +/- 6 kg/m) and 870 (75%) non-obese (mean BMI = 25 +/- 3 kg/m) patients. There was no difference between groups regarding age, sex, Injury Severity Score, or admission vitals. Obese patients had fewer head injuries (42 versus 55%; p = 0.0001) but more chest (45 versus 38%; p = 0.05) and lower extremity (53 versus 38%; p < 0.0001) injuries. There was no difference in the need for laparotomy, thoracotomy, or craniotomy. Obese patients suffered more complications (42 versus 32%; p = 0.002). Although there was only a trend toward higher mortality in obese patients (22 versus 17%; p = 0.10), stepwise logistic regression revealed obesity as an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.3; p = 0.03). Among survivors, obese patients required longer stays in the hospital (24 +/- 21 versus 19 +/- 17 days; p = 0.01), the ICU (13 +/- 14 versus 10 +/- 10 days; p = 0.005), and 2 more days of mechanical ventilation (8 +/- 13 versus 6 +/- 9 days; p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Obese patients incur different injuries after severe blunt trauma than their non-obese counterparts. Despite sustaining fewer head injuries, obese patients suffer more complications, require longer stays in the hospital, more days of mechanical ventilation, and obesity is independently associated with mortality.     

Obesity and traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND: As obesity continues to run rampant in our society, an understanding of its adverse effect after traumatic injury is starting to unfold. We hypothesize that obesity negatively impacts head-injured patients, and the current study intends to compare obese and lean patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: This is a retrospective study evaluating all blunt trauma patients with TBI admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in our urban, Level I trauma center from 1998 until 2003. Body mass index (BMI) was used to categorize patients as either lean (BMI <30 kg/m2) or obese (BMI > or =30 kg/m2). Admission demographics, type and severity of head injury, and associated injuries were recorded for each patient. Primary outcome was mortality, while secondary outcomes were cause of death, complications, and for survivors, days of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and hospital length of stay. Obese and lean patients were compared using univariate analysis and multivariate stepwise logistic regression. In addition, a subgroup analysis of patients with isolated head injury was performed. RESULTS: There were 690 patients with TBI admitted to the ICU during the study period, with 129 (19%) obese patients (BMI = 34 +/- 5 kg/m2) and 561 (81%) lean patients (BMI = 24 +/- 4 kg/m2). The two groups were similar with the exceptions that obese patients were older (46 +/- 20 years versus 39 +/- years, p < 0.01), had lower admission systolic blood pressure (125 +/- 38 mm Hg versus 134 +/- 30 mm Hg, p = 0.01), and more often sustained an associated chest injury (46% versus 35%, p = 0.03). Obese patients with TBI had a trend toward more complications (34% versus 28%, p = 0.17) and a higher mortality (36% versus 25%, p = 0.02). However, stepwise logistic regression failed to identify obesity as an independent risk factor for either morbidity or mortality. In addition, obese patients with isolated head injury had no increase in complications or death. CONCLUSIONS: Although obese patients suffer more complications and higher mortality than lean patients after TBI, this adverse effect seems to be due to age, lower admission blood pressure, and more associated chest injury, rather than a direct result of the obese state.     

Outcomes of the overweight and obese major trauma patient in the rural setting

PurposeOverweight and obese patients are more prevalent in rural and remote areas and are of major public health concern in Australia. We aimed to evaluate the mortality and morbidity of overweight and obese trauma patients in the rural Australian context.MethodThis was a retrospective cohort study on 207 major trauma patients (injury severity score [ISS] > 12) treated at the Mackay Base Hospital between 2018 and 2021. Data was extracted from the Mackay Base Hospital trauma database and hospital records. Outcomes were compared between body mass index (BMI) groups.ResultsThere were 164 males (79%) and 43 females (21%). The average BMI was 27.09 (standard deviation 5.46). 7 patients (3%) were in the underweight category (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), 70 (34%) were of normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²), 79 (38%) were overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m²), and 51 (25%) were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²). The majority of trauma was blunt (n = 203, 98%). Compared to patients with normal BMI, obese patients were significantly more likely to require intubation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and have a longer ICU stay. There were no significant differences in requirement for surgery, duration of surgery, hospital length of stay, ventilator time, or mortality (P > 0.05). However, subgroup analysis of the obese patient group showed an increased rate of complications (sepsis, acute kidney injury, fluid overload and pneumonia), longer ventilation times, hospital and ICU length of stay with increasing BMI in these patients.ConclusionThe majority of trauma presentations in our regional community are in overweight or obese patients. Overweight and obese patients are more likely to require intubation and have a longer intensive care unit admission than normal weight counterparts. Amongst obese patients, those with BMI > 40 (obesity class 3) are at significantly increased risk of complications.     

Body mass index and outcomes in critically injured blunt trauma patients: weighing the impact

BACKGROUND: The influence of increased body mass index (BMI) on morbidity and mortality in critically injured trauma patients has been studied, with conflicting results. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between stratified BMI and outcomes in blunt injured patients. STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive adult trauma patients from July 2001 to November 2005 with Injury Severity Score (ISS) > or = 16 and blunt mechanism were evaluated using the National Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons. Demographics, injury severity, hospital course, complications, and mortality were compared among standard BMI strata. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals and evaluate BMI as an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 1,543 patients. Controlling for age, gender, Injury Severity Score, and Revised Trauma Score, and using BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m(2) as the reference category, morbid obesity (BMI> or =40 kg/m(2)) was associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR 3.675, 95% CI, 1.237 to 10.916), acute respiratory failure (OR 2.793, 95% CI, 1.633 to 4.778), acute renal failure (OR 13.506, 2.388 to 76.385), multisystem organ failure (OR 2.639, 95% CI, 1.085 to 6.421), pneumonia (OR 2.487, 95% CI, 1.483 to 4.302), urinary tract infection (OR 2.332, 95% CI, 1.229 to 4.427), deep venous thrombosis (OR 4.112, 95% CI, 1.253 to 13.496), and decubitus ulcer (OR 2.841, 95% CI, 1.382 to 5.841). Morbid obesity was not associated with increased mortality (OR 0.810, 95% CI, 0.353 to 1.856). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to date evaluating the relationship between BMI and outcomes in critically injured trauma patients. Increasing BMI increases morbidity while having no proved influence on mortality.     

Obesity and outcomes in trauma - a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe physiological abnormalities relating to obesity and metabolic syndrome can contribute to worse outcomes following trauma especially in class 2 and 3 obesity. The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether patients with a higher class of obesity who suffer traumatic injury have a higher risk of worse outcomes including in-hospital mortality than normal-weight patients.MethodsA systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science and CINAHL was performed for studies that reported a comparison of in-hospital obesity-related outcomes against normal-weight individuals aged 15 years and older following trauma. Single or multiple injuries from either blunt and/or penetrating trauma were included. Burn-related injuries, isolated head injury and studies focusing on orthopaedic related perioperative complications were excluded.ResultsThe search yielded 7405 articles; 26 were included in this systematic review. 945,511 patients had a BMI>30. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for analysis of all four outcomes. Patients with class 3 obesity (BMI>40) have significantly higher odds of in-hospital mortality than normal-BMI individuals following blunt and penetrating trauma (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.39-2.19, p=<0.00001), significantly longer hospital LOS (SMD, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.21-0.25; p<0.00001) and significantly longer ICU LOS (SMD, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.12-0.26; p<0.0001). In contrast, studies that examined blunt and penetrating trauma and classified obesity with a threshold of BMI>30 found no significant difference in the odds of in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.86-1.02, p=0.13).ConclusionsThere is a higher risk of in-hospital mortality in patients living with class 3 obesity following trauma when compared with individuals with normal BMI. The management of patients with obesity is complex and trauma systems should develop specific weight related pathways to manage and anticipate the complications that arise in these patients.Systematic review registration numberPROSPERO registration: CRD42021234482Level of Evidence: Level 3     

Body habitus as a predictor of injury pattern after blunt trauma.

The records of obese and nonobese victims of blunt trauma were compared to determine if obese individuals are predisposed to a specific injury pattern. Prospectively collected data on 6368 adults admitted to a level I trauma center over a 4-year period were analyzed. Twelve percent (743 patients) met Body Mass Index (weight/height2) criteria for obesity (greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2). The obese group was older (p less than 0.01) and had lower ISSs (p less than 0.05) and higher GCS scores (p less than 0.01). More obese patients were injured in vehicular crashes (62.7% vs. 54.1% [p less than 0.01]). The obese victims were more likely to have rib fractures, pulmonary contusions, pelvic fractures, and extremity fractures and less likely to have incurred head trauma and liver injuries (p less than 0.05). Obese people injured in vehicular crashes had a similar injury pattern with no difference in seating position, direction of impact, seat belt use, and ejection.     

Mechanisms and patterns of injuries related to large animals

BACKGROUND: Injuries from encounters with large animals represent a significant health risk for rural communities. We evaluated our regional trauma centers' experience with large-animal injuries to determine whether certain mechanisms and patterns of injury predicted either major head/craniofacial or torso (chest/abdomen/pelvis) trauma. METHODS: The hospital courses of 145 patients with injuries related to large animals were reviewed retrospectively to determine patterns of injury, specific injury mechanisms, species-specific injuries, and predictors of multiple body region trauma. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (55%) were injured by horses, 47 patients (32%) by bulls, 16 patients (11%) by cows, and 3 patients (2%) by wild animal attacks. The predominant species-specific mechanisms of injury were falls (horses), tramplings (bulls), and kicks (cows). Brain/craniofacial injuries were most common from horse-related encounters (32%), whereas bull and cow encounters usually resulted in torso injuries (45% and 56%, respectively). Multiple body region injuries occurred in 32% of patients. Fractures of the upper extremities were more often associated with torso and head/craniofacial injuries (48%) than lower extremity injuries (17%) (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Large animal injuries frequently involve multiple body regions with species-specific mechanisms. Upper extremity injuries are associated with a significantly higher percentage of torso and head/craniofacial injuries, which may have implications for field triage.     

Morbid obesity impacts mortality in blunt trauma

Twenty-six per cent of adults in the Unites States are obese and trauma remains a major cause of death. We assessed the impact of morbid obesity on mortality in patients with blunt trauma. We reviewed the records of patients with a body mass index 40 kg/m2 or greater injured by blunt trauma from 1993 to 2003 and compared them with a 4:1 control population with a normal body mass index and matched for sex and constellation of injuries. For comparison, patients were categorized by Injury Severity Score 9 or less or Injury Severity Score 10 or greater. Student t test and chi2 were used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant. One hundred seven morbidly obese patients were identified and compared with 458 control subjects with a normal body mass index and matched for sex and constellation of injuries. Although the morbidly obese patients were found to be significantly younger, those who incurred multiorgan injury experienced a significantly longer hospital length of stay and displayed a greater than fourfold increase in mortality when compared with the control subjects. Furthermore, the number of morbidly obese patients admitted over the 10-year period significantly increased by fourfold (0.4% to 1.5%). Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in morbidly obese patients cared for in our trauma center. Although these patients were significantly younger with a similar Glasgow Coma Score as that of the control population, morbid obesity significantly increased mortality when the injury from blunt trauma transitioned from a single to a multiorgan injury.     

Low body mass index is associated with increased mortality in patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures

AimsFractures of the pelvis and acetabulum are often the consequence of high energy trauma in young individuals or fragility fractures in osteoporotic bone. They can be life-threatening or life changing injuries. No published data exists comparing body mass index (BMI) and mortality for this patient group. The aim of this study was to identify if low BMI (<18.5) was a predictor of morbidity and mortality for patients with these injuries.Patients and MethodsOf the 1033 patients with pelvic or acetabular fractures referred to a single level 1 major trauma centre (MTC) over a 4.5-year period (August 2015 - January 2020); we retrospectively analysed data for all admitted patients. Data was collected on demographics, injury pattern, operative intervention and complications. Comparison was made between patients that were underweight (BMI<18.5) and patients that were not. Both in-hospital and post discharge complications were recorded including pulmonary embolus (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), ileus, infection, loss of reduction and mortality at 6 months.Results569 patients admitted to the MTC with a pelvic or acetabular fracture were included in our analysis. Underweight patients had a statistically significant increase in mortality both in-hospital (p = 0.019) and at 6 months post injury (p = 0.039) when compared to other BMI groups. No statistical significance was found between these BMI groups comparing morbidity: DVT (p = 0.712), PE (p = 0.736) nor ileus (p = 0.149). Covariate analysis showed that a low BMI was associated with triple the in-hospital mortality after correction for age and energy of injury (adjusted OR 3.028, 95% CI 1.059-8.659).ConclusionThis is the first published study that demonstrates a statistically significant increase in mortality in patients with pelvic or acetabular fractures who are underweight. Surgeons should carefully consider appropriate peri-operative optimisation for these patients. Further investigation into the effects of low BMI and response to trauma is required.     

Obesity and outcomes after blunt trauma

BACKGROUND: Obesity has proven to be an independent risk factor of mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) in both nontrauma and trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the detrimental effect of obesity extend to morbidity as well as mortality in the intensive and nonintensive care blunt trauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective comparison of obese (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m2) to nonobese (BMI < 30 kg/m2) blunt trauma patients was performed between January 2004 and December 2005. Patient demographics, morbidity, mortality and ventilator, ICU, and hospital length of stays were analyzed. Continuous variables were evaluated using the Wilcoxon Rank test and the nominal variables were evaluated using the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: A cohort of 338 nonobese patients was compared with 115 obese patients during the study. These groups were similar in age (p = 0.19), gender (p = 0.37), and mechanism (p = 0.13). Their severity of injury were similar, demonstrated by nonsignificant differences in Injury Severity Score (p = 0.45), New Injury Severity Score (p = 0.51), Abdomen Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS; p = 0.49), and head AIS (p = 0.64). The subset of obese patients who never went to the ICU had a slightly longer hospital stay with a p value of 0.055. Overall the mortality rates were not different between the groups (3.5% obese versus 7.1% nonobese, p = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: This group of obese blunt trauma patients had similar mortality rates to their leaner counterparts possibly because their complications were minimized. Despite this finding, a subset of obese patients had longer hospital stays which increases the financial burden to the patient and hospital. Effort should be made to facilitate their discharge to avoid complications and minimize cost.     

Impact of Obesity on Postoperative and Long-term Outcomes in a General Surgery Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

The obesity paradox has been demonstrated postoperatively in several surgical populations, but only a few studies have reported long-term survival. This study evaluates the presence of the obesity paradox in a general surgery population, reporting both postoperative and long-term survival.

Methods

This retrospective study included 10,427 patients scheduled for elective, noncardiac surgery. Patients were classified as underweight (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m²); normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²); overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m²); obesity class I (BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m²); obesity class II (BMI 35.0–39.9 kg/m²); and obesity class III (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m²). Study endpoints were 30-day postoperative and long-term mortality, including cause-specific mortality. Multivariable analyses were used to evaluate mortality risks for each BMI category.

Results

Within 30 days after surgery, 353 (3.4 %) patients died. Overweight was the only category associated with postoperative mortality, showing improved survival [odds ratio 0.7; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.6–0.9]. During the long-term follow-up 4,884 (47 %) patients died. Underweight patients had the highest mortality risk [hazard ratio (HR) 1.4; 95 % CI 1.2–1.6), particularly due to high cancer-related deaths. In contrast, overweight and obese patients demonstrated improved survival (overweight: HR 0.8, 95 % CI 0.8–0.9; obesity class I: HR 0.7, 95 % CI 0.7–0.8; obesity class II: HR 0.7, 95 % CI 0.6–0.9; obesity class III: HR 0.7, 95 % CI 0.5–1.0), mainly because of a strongly reduced risk of cancer-related death.

Conclusions

In this surgical population the obesity paradox was validated at the long term, mainly because of decreased cancer-related deaths among obese patients.     

Lower extremity arterial revascularization in obese patients

BACKGROUND: Obesity and associated comorbidities are associated with a high rate of complications and technical difficulties after a number of surgical procedures. We studied the role of obesity in outcomes in lower extremity arterial revascularization. METHODS: We reviewed all lower extremity arterial revascularizations performed at our institution in 2000. Body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m(2) defined obesity. Perioperative outcomes, long-term survival, and graft patency were evaluated in obese and nonobese patients by using linear regression, the Fisher exact test, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 74 (26%) obese and 207 (74%) nonobese patients. Patient demographics of the obese and nonobese populations were similar. The mean BMI for obese patients was 35 +/- 5 kg/m(2) and in nonobese patients was 25 +/- 3 kg/m(2). The mean age of each group was 67 +/- 10 years (BMI > or =30 kg/m(2)) and 70 +/- 13 years (BMI <30 kg/m(2)). There were 45 (61%) obese men and 29 (39%) obese women. There were 128 (62%) nonobese men and 79 (38%) nonobese women. Diabetes was present in 76% of the obese and 70% of the nonobese patients. Perioperative myocardial infarction, 30-day mortality, and rate of reoperation within 30 days were not significantly different. Obese patients had higher increased postoperative wound infection rates (16% vs 7%; P = .04). Survival analysis showed 81% +/- 5% and 85% +/- 3% 1-year survival and 66% +/- 6% and 62% +/- 3% 3-year survival in obese and nonobese patients (P = .58), respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed no effect of obesity on long-term graft patency, with 1-year graft patency rates of 82% +/- 6% and 81% +/- 4% in obese and nonobese patients, respectively (P = .79). CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients have similar limb salvage rates, perioperative cardiac morbidity, long-term survival rates, and long-term graft patency but have increased perioperative wound infections.     

Body Mass Index in Lung Transplant Candidates: A Contra-indication to Transplant or Not?

Background

According to International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation criteria, high body mass index (BMI; ≥30 kg/m²) is a relative contraindication for lung transplantation (LT). On the other hand, low BMI may be associated with worse outcome. We investigated the influence of pre-LT BMI on survival after LT in a single-center study.

Methods

Patients were divided according to the World Health Organization criteria into 4 groups: BMI <18.5 kg/m² (underweight), BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m² (normal weight), BMI 25–29.9 kg/m² (overweight), and BMI ≥30 kg/m² (obesity). An additional analysis was made per underlying disease.

Results

BMI was determined in a cohort of 546 LT recipients, of which 28% had BMI <18.5 kg/m². Underweight resulted in similar survival (P = .28) compared with the normal weight group. Significantly higher mortality was found in overweight (P = .016) and obese patients (P = .031) compared with the normal-weight group. Subanalysis of either underweight (P = .19) or obese COPD patients (P = .50) did not reveal worse survival. In patients with interstitial lung disease, obesity was associated with increased mortality (P = .031) compared with the normal-weight group. In cystic fibrosis patients, underweight was not associated with a higher mortality rate (P = .12) compared with the normal-weight group.

Conclusions

Low pre-LT BMI did not influence survival rate in our cohort, independently from underlying disease.     

The impact of obesity on severely injured children and adolescents

Purpose/Background

In conjunction with the obesity epidemic in adults, we are starting to see an increase of obesity in children and adolescents. Obesity has been identified as risk factor for poor outcomes in adult trauma patients, but has not been investigated adequately in younger patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of obesity on the outcomes of a severely injured population of children and adolescents.

Methods

Retrospective review of traumatized children (age 6-12) and adolescents (age 13-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at an urban, level I trauma center from 1998 to 2003. The trauma registry and ICU database were used for data acquisition. Height and weight were recorded for each patient upon admission to the ICU and used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Patients were categorized as either lean (BMI <95th percentile for age) or obese (BMI ≥95th percentile for age). The two groups were compared regarding admission demographics, vital signs, mechanism of injury, patterns of injury, Injury Severity Score, and operations required. Outcomes evaluated were need for and length of mechanical ventilation, complications, length of hospital and ICU stay, and mortality.

Results

There were 316 pediatric and adolescent trauma patients (262 [83%] lean, mean BMI = 23 kg/m² and 54 [17%] obese, mean BMI = 33 kg/m²) admitted to the ICU. The lean and obese groups were similar regarding age, sex, mechanism of injury, admission vitals, injury severity, and operations required. Injury patterns were similar, except obese patients had less severe head injuries. Although there was no difference in mortality among obese (15%) and non-obese (9%) patients (P = .39), obese children did have more complications (41% vs 22%, P = .04). In addition, obese patients required longer ICU stays (8 ± 9 vs 6 ± 6 days, P = .05) after severe trauma.

Conclusions

Despite similar admission characteristics and less severe head injuries, obese children and adolescents have more complications and require longer ICU stays than their lean counterparts.     

Body mass index and outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery

AIM: Morbidity and mortality after surgical interventions are influenced by different preoperative factors. We investigated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: A total of 4 749 CABG patients were divided into 4 groups: low BMI (or=35 kg/m(2), n=146). The incidence of severe perioperative complications (heart failure, renal failure or perioperative stroke), 30-day mortality, length of stay (LOS) and long-term survival were compared. A multivariate analysis with BMI, age, gender and Cleveland Clinic risk score as independent variables and 30-day mortality as dependent variable was performed. RESULTS: Compared to patients with normal BMI, low BMI patients had higher incidence of severe complications (12.5 vs 7.0%, P=0.039), higher 30-day mortality (6.2 vs 1.7 %, P=0.001) and inferior cumulative long-term survival (P=0.04). Patients with moderately increased BMI had longer LOS (10.8 vs 9.0 days, P=0.003) but no difference in incidence of severe complications or mortality. Patients with severely increased BMI had a higher incidence of severe complications (12.3 vs 7.0%, P=0.015, longer LOS (13.0 vs 9.0 days, P<0.001), but no significant difference in early or long-term mortality. Low but not high BMI was an independent predictor for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that low BMI is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after CABG. Overweight is associated with more postoperative complications and longer hospitalisation but not with an increased early or long-term mortality.     

Association between body-mass index and survival in peritoneal dialysis patients

Objective To evaluate the association between body-mass index and prognosis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods In this observational study of a single nephrology unit in Shanghai East Hospital, 81 incident continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) patients were included from Jan 2008 to Dec 2013, whom were followed-up by 36 months or until death. The patients were classified as underweight (BMI＜18.5kg/m2); normal weight (18.5～23.9kg/m2); overweight (24～27.9kg/m2) and obese (BMI≥28kg/m2). The patients and technique survival rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to elucidate relationship between BMI and all-cause mortality and technique failure in PD patients. Results The overall survival rate was similar between normal and overweight groups (P=0.96), but significantly lower in underweight group and obese group (P＜0.01 respectively). The overall technical survival rate of obese group was lower compare with normal group (P＜0.01). The main cause of technical failure was peritonitis (81.3%). BMI was positively correlated with albumin (r=0.24, P＜0.05), hemoglobin (r=0.56, P＜0.01), glucose(r=0.23, P＜0.05) and cholesterol (r=0.41, P＜0.01), but negatively correlated with Kt/V (r=-0.36, P＜0.01) and Ccr(r=-0.34, P＜0.01). In adjusted Cox proportional hazard mode 3, obese was independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR: 5.93, 95%CI: 1.10～31.79). Obese and peritonitis were independently associated with technical failure (HR: 10.33, 95%CI: 1.04～78.02 and HR: 2.74, 95%CI: 1.17～6.40 respectively). Conclusions Underweight and obese CAPD patients have poorer outcome. Obese CAPD patients also have lower technical survival rate. Obesity was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in CAPD patients.     

Blunt gastric injuries

Gastric rupture after blunt abdominal trauma is a rare injury with few reports in the literature. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with blunt gastric injuries and compare outcomes with small bowel or colon injuries. All patients with hollow viscus perforations after blunt abdominal trauma from 1992 to 2005 at our level I trauma center were reviewed. Of 35,033 blunt trauma admissions, there were 268 (0.7%) patients with a total of 319 perforating hollow viscus injuries, 25 (0.07%) of which were blunt gastric injuries. When compared with the small bowel or colon injuries, the blunt gastric injury group had a higher Injury Severity Score (22 versus 17, P = 0.04), more patients with a chest Abbreviated Injury Score greater than 2 (36% versus 12%, P < 0.01), and a shorter interval from injury to laparotomy (221 versus 366 minutes, P = 0.017). Multivariate analysis identified five independent risk factors for mortality: age older than 55 years, head Abbreviated Injury Score greater than 2, chest Abbreviated Injury Score greater than 2, the presence of hypotension on admission, and Glasgow Coma Scale 8 or less. The results of this study suggest that mortality in patients with blunt hollow viscus injuries can be attributed to concurrent head and chest injuries, but not the specific hollow viscus organ that is injured.     

Scapular fractures and concomitant injuries

Objective: The association of scapular fractures with other life-threatening injuries including blunt thoracic aortic injury is widely recognized.Few studies have investigated this presumed association...     

Effect of Pre-Transplant Recipient Underweight on the Postoperative Outcome and Graft Survival in Primary Kidney Transplantation

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of recipient underweight on the short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing primary kidney transplantation (KT).Patients and methodsThree hundred thirty-three patients receiving primary KT in our department between 1993 and 2017 were included in the study. Patients were divided according to their body mass index (BMI) into underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m²; N = 29) and normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²; N = 304) groups. Clinicopathological characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and graft and patient survival were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe postoperative rate of surgical complications and renal function were comparable between the groups. One year and 3 years after KT, 70% and 92.9%, respectively, of the pre-transplant underweight patients reached a normal BMI (≥18.5 kg/m²). The mean death-censored graft survival was significantly lower in pre-transplant underweight patients than in pre-transplant normal-weight patients (11.5 ± 1.6 years vs 16.3 ± 0.6 years, respectively; P = .045). Especially KT recipients with a moderate or severe pre-transplant underweight (BMI <17 kg/m²; N = 8) showed an increased rate of graft loss (5- and 10-year graft survival: 21.4% each). No statistical difference could be observed between the 2 groups regarding causes of graft loss. In multivariate analysis, recipient underweight (P = .024) remained an independent prognostic factor for graft survival.ConclusionBeing underweight did not affect the early postoperative outcome after primary KT. However, underweight, and especially moderate and severe thinness, is associated with reduced long-term kidney graft survival, and therefore this group of patients should be monitored with special attention.     

The effects of increasing obesity on outcomes of vascular surgery

The aim of this study was to determine whether vascular patients are becoming progressively more obese and whether morbid obesity affects outcomes from vascular surgery. Data for the index vascular procedures of infrainguinal bypass, carotid endarterectomy, and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair were collected in a computer database for 1996-2006. Body mass index (BMI) was stratified into <18.5 kg/m2 as underweight, >35 kg/m2 as morbidly obese, and other as control (18.5 < BMI < 35). The data were analyzed with respect to operation duration, length of stay, complication rates, and mortality rates. Results were adjusted for potential confounding variables, including mode of admission, diabetes, cardiac history, renal function, and smoking. A total of 1,317 patients were reviewed, and 1,105 cases were deemed suitable for analysis. The incidence of morbid obesity increased in a linear manner from 1.3% to 9% over the 10-year period. The operation duration was longer for morbidly obese subjects compared with normals. This was only statistically significant for AAA repair category, with a mean operating time of 158.4 +/- 65.5 min for patients with BMI <35 kg/m2 vs. 189.8 +/- 92.2 min for morbidly obese patients (p < 0.014). Infection rates were consistently higher in the morbidly obese group; however, this reached a statistically significant rate among AAA repair cases (43.5% [n = 16] vs. 34.8% [n = 159], p < 0.004). There were no significant differences in other complications, graft failure, length of stay, or mortality. Vascular patients are becoming progressively more obese. Procedures performed on morbidly obese subjects take longer, and these patients have higher rates of infectious complications. This is mainly attributable to AAA. This did not translate into poorer final outcomes in this study, although significant differences might emerge from a larger sample.