Early outcomes following trauma related to sex: A matched analysis of military service members in the department of defense trauma registry.

Abstract

Several studies have identified sex as a factor influencing early outcomes after trauma. With the increased representation of women in combat roles, there is a need for improved understanding of the pathophysiology of traumatic injury in women. The purpose of this study was to define sex-based differences in early combat trauma outcomes amongst military service members. A retrospective review of the Department of Defense Trauma Registry between 2008 and 2016 was performed. A 2:1 case control match was performed to match for Injury Severity Score, mechanism of injury, and age. The primary outcome of the study was mortality. A total of 4,625 patients were included in the study, 2.2% of whom were women. Women were less significantly injured than men (Injury Severity Score, 7.7 vs. 11, p = 0.003) and more likely to sustain blunt trauma (81% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.01). After case-control matching, 202 men and 101 women were evaluated. There was no statistical difference in the primary outcome of mortality. There was no statistical difference in Glasgow Coma Scale score, crystalloid or colloid administration, Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC), platelet, cryoprecipitate, or plasma usage between men and women. Contrary to the civilian trauma literature, our study demonstrated no significant difference in early mortality between male and female combat casualties in a matched cohort. This finding may represent a difference in injury patterns, resuscitation practices, or lifesaving interventions in a deployed setting as compared with civilian setting. As the proportion of women involved in combat operations continues to increase, prospective studies should be performed to better define injury patterns, as well as early and late outcomes related to military trauma in the female population. Retrospective, Level IV.