Multiple Trauma (Polytrauma) in Greece: Demographics, Severity, and Clinical Outcomes in A Hospital Setting

Introduction: Multiple trauma or Polytrauma, a complex condition involving multiple injuries affecting various body regions, remains a global health concern, particularly impacting the most productive age group. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, polytrauma continues to be a leading cause of worldwide mortality and disability. This study investigates the demographics, injury severity, and clinical outcomes of polytrauma patients in a Greek hospital.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 71 patients admitted to the Department of Emergency Incidents and the Intensive Care Unit of Papa Georgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, from August 2018 to August 2020. Data collected included patient gender, age, mode of transportation, injury mechanism, Injury Severity Score, admitting department, duration of Intensive Care Unit stay, days until extubation, hospitalization days, and patient outcomes.

Results: The study included 80.3% male and 19.7% female patients, with an average age of approximately 45 years. Falls from significant heights and motor vehicle accidents were the most common injury mechanisms. The Injury Severity Score demonstrated varying injury severity levels among patients, with a notable standard deviation, indicating the diversity of encountered injuries. Significant associations were found between injury mechanism and hospital admission, highlighting the importance of timely patient triage. Moreover, the Injury Severity Score correlated significantly with hospital outcomes and influenced hospitalization and ICU stay durations.

Discussion: The study provides valuable insights into the demographic characteristics, injury severity, interventions, and patient outcomes in polytrauma cases. The findings underscore the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to manage traumatic injuries effectively, considering the involvement of different hospital departments. Understanding factors influencing ICU stay, intubation, and overall hospitalization can guide healthcare professionals in setting realistic treatment goals and predicting patient outcomes after traumatic injury.

Keywords:Multiple trauma; Polytrauma; Injury severity; Injury Severity Score (ISS)

Abbreviations:WHO: World Health Organization; ISS: Injury Severity Score; AIS: Abbreviated Injury Scale; ED: Emergency Department; ICU: Intensive Care Unit EMS: Emergency Medical Services; χ2: Chi-Squared Test; ANOVA: Analysis of Variance