Post-injury multiple organ failure and late outcome. Is it just an association?

Massimo Antonelli,Anselmo Caricato

doi:10.1186/cc6132

Massimo Antonelli, Anselmo Caricato

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/cc6132

Copy DOI

Journal: Critical Care	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2007
Citations: 11	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Abstract

Multiple organ failure (MOF) is associated with a high rate of mortality in trauma patients. Several studies focused on long-term outcome in these patients, and showed that MOF is related to both in-hospital and late mortality and functional status. Exact mechanism of sequelae in MOF is still unclear. The distinction between early and late MOF probably helps to separate two different clinical conditions and find a stronger relationship with outcome.

Highlights

In the study by Ulvik et al, [1] two to seven years after the trauma, they investigated Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and an index related to physical functional status, Karnofsky’s index, that takes account of the presence of symptoms, the working ability, the physical activity, and self-care
The patients dying after hospital discharge had multiple organ failure (MOF) during their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU)
Moreno et al observed a mortality rate after discharge of between 20% and 30% in general ICU patients that experienced MOF [4]. They found that neurologic and renal failures were mainly associated with late mortality

Summary

Introduction

In the study by Ulvik et al, [1] two to seven years after the trauma, they investigated GOS and an index related to physical functional status, Karnofsky’s index, that takes account of the presence of symptoms, the working ability, the physical activity, and self-care. Detailed information about the prognosis of trauma patients is crucial to improve survival in the intensive care unit (ICU). Most of the studies have been focused on ICU or inhospital mortality, and long-term outcome remains largely unknown.

Results

Conclusion