title: Transfusions and long-term functional outcomes in traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this paper, the authors' goal was to examine the relationship between transfusion and long-term functional outcomes in moderately anemic patients (lowest hematocrit [HCT] level 21-30%) with traumatic brain injury (TBI). While evidence suggests that transfusions are associated with poor hospital outcomes, no study has examined transfusions and long-term functional outcomes in this population. The preferred transfusion threshold remains controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors performed a retrospective review of patients who were admitted with TBI between September 2005 and November 2007, extracting data such as HCT level, status of red blood cell transfusion, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, serum glucose, and length of hospital stay. Outcome measures assessed at 6 months were Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended score, Functional Status Examination score, and patient death. A multivariate generalized linear model controlling for confounding variables was used to assess the association between transfusion and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 292 patients were identified, and 139 (47.6%) met the criteria for moderate anemia. Roughly half (54.7%) underwent transfusions. Univariate analyses showed significant correlations between outcome score and patient age, admission GCS score, head Abbreviated Injury Scale score, number of days with an HCT level < 30%, highest glucose level, number of days with a glucose level > 200 mg/dl, length of hospital stay, number of patients receiving a transfusion, and transfusion volume. In multivariate analysis, admission GCS score, receiving a transfusion, and transfusion volume were the only variables associated with outcome (F = 2.458, p = 0.007; F = 11.694, p = 0.001; and F = 1.991, p = 0.020, respectively). There was no association between transfusion and death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transfusions may contribute to poor long-term functional outcomes in anemic patients with TBI. Transfusion strategies should be aimed at patients with symptomatic anemia or physiological compromise, and transfusion volume should be minimized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Keeffe
authors.forename: Premal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhavsar
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shringer
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Caryn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarode
authors.forename: Larry M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gentilello
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diaz-Arrastia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016014:Linear Models; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D012964:Sodium