Trauma and co-morbidity - a pilot study

Aims. To study the adult trauma patient population at the Auckland Hospital in order to determine the age distribution of trauma, the prevalence and i mportance of co-morbid conditions and any effect of the latter on the lengt h of stay in the hospital. Methods. Data were collected on 78 consecutive patients admitted to the Auc kland Hospital under the Trauma team between December 1999 and January 2000 . Data were collected by interviewing the patient, as well as reviewing pat ients medical notes and the Trauma Registry. Results. The prevalence of co-morbidities was 14.7%. a co-morbidity was fou nd below the age of 40 years, but the prevalence of co-morbidity increased with age. The average length of stay for patients with no comorbidities and an Injury Severity Score( ISS) >15 was 19 days while for those with co-mor bidities was 24.5 days-an increase of 29%. Conclusion. This pilot study has found that a significant number of trauma patients being admitted to Auckland Hospital have a pre-existing co-morbid condition that may alter their length of stay. It is an important issue tha t warrants further investigation, in order to devise a more accurate progno stic scoring system.