Factors Associated With Mortality in Thoracic Trauma Patients in Cameroon

Abstract

Abstract Rationale Thoracic trauma is the third most common cause of death after abdominal injury and head trauma in polytrauma patients. The identification of a patient at risk of thoracic trauma mortality is necessary to avoid delays that may lead to morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the objective was to assess the factors associated with mortality among thoracic trauma patients in Cameroon. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Cameroon Trauma Registry currently running in 10 pilot hospital sites across 7 of the 10 regions. We retrieved data for all patients with thoracic trauma and analyzed factors associated with mortality using logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. Results Out of 4851 trauma patients, 642 (13.2%) presented with thoracic trauma. Over 80% were males and the majority [168 (26.2%)] were 25 – 34 years old. The most common injury mechanism was Road Traffic Injury (RTI). Overall thoracic trauma mortality rate was 9% with road traffic Injury being the commonest mechanism. Factors associated with thoracic trauma mortality are abnormal chest movement (AOR = 5.2, P = 0.001), and abnormal respiration (AOR = 4.7, P = 0.01). Conclusion This analysis highlights thoracic trauma in Cameroon and its contribution to the overall injury death toll. Abnormal chest movement and respiration were factors associated with mortality among thoracic trauma patients. The management of patients with thoracic trauma should ideally be envisaged as requiring a multidisciplinary approach including most especially the use of thoracic surgeons.