Asymptomatic COVID-19 Trauma Patients have Worse Outcomes and Resource Use: A Matched Cohort Study

Abstract

Introduction: It is not known if asymptomatic COVID-19 trauma patients have a different outcome from COVID-19 negative patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 positivity on outcomes and resource use in the trauma population. Methods: All trauma patients admitted to an urban level 1 trauma center during March 2020 - October 2021 were collected and reviewed for COVID-19 status. COVID-19 positive patients with symptoms or initial chest radiographs consistent with infections were excluded. Propensity score model 1:3 matched asymptomatic COVID-19 positive to COVID-19 negative trauma patients for their age, BMI, MOA, ISS, SBP < 90, GCS<9 and comorbidities. Outcomes included mortality, complication and resource use. Results: A total of 185 asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients were matched with 554 COVID-19 negative patients. Asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients had higher rates of myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest (3.2% vs 0.9%, p = 0.023), higher ventilator days (3.33 vs 1.49, p < 0.001), ICU-LOS (4.92 vs 3.41 days, p = 0.034), overall LOS (11.41 vs 7.24 days, p < 0.001) and hospital charges (176.505.80 vs 107.591.93 $, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Asymptomatic COVID-19 trauma patients have significantly higher rates of cardiac events, longer LOS and higher hospital charges when compared with similar trauma patients who are COVID-19 negative.