title: Complications of trauma patients admitted to the ICU in level I academic trauma centers in the United States.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of this study were to evaluate the complications that occur after trauma and the characteristics of individuals who develop complications, to identify potential risk factors that increase their incidence, and finally to investigate the relationship between complications and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  We did a population-based retrospective study of trauma patients admitted to ICUs of a level I trauma center. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors for complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 11,064 patients studied, 3,451 trauma patients developed complications (31.2%). Complications occurred significantly more in younger male patients. Length of stay was correlated with the number of complications (R = 0.435, P < 0.0001). The overall death rate did not differ between patients with or without complications. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of developing complication for patients over age 75 versus young adults was 0.7 (P < 0.0001). Among males, traumatic central nervous system (CNS) injury was an important predictor for complications (adjusted OR 1.24).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complications after trauma were found to be associated with age, gender, and traumatic CNS injury. Although these are not modifiable factors, they may identify subjects at high risk for the development of complications, allowing for preemptive strategies for prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8587-3614
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mondello
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 117450, 2004 Mowry Road, 5th Floor CTRB, Gainesville, FL 32611-7450, USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4874-8117
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cantrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9028-8877
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Italiano
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9540-5665
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fodale
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mondello
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida and Trauma Services, Ocala Regional Medical Center, Ocala, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Darwin
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6165-6052
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ang
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology