Outcomes after rib fractures: more complex than a single number

Purpose Rib fractures are common injuries that can lead to morbidity and mortality. Methods Data on all patients with rib fractures admitted to a single trauma center between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018 were reviewed. Results A total of 1,671 admissions for rib fracture were examined. Pati...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kristin P. Colling, Tyler Goettl, Melissa L. Harry
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Society of Traumatology 2022-12-01
Series:Journal of Trauma and Injury
Subjects:
Online Access:http://jtraumainj.org/upload/pdf/jti-2021-0096.pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Purpose Rib fractures are common injuries that can lead to morbidity and mortality. Methods Data on all patients with rib fractures admitted to a single trauma center between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018 were reviewed. Results A total of 1,671 admissions for rib fracture were examined. Patients’ median age was 57 years, the median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 14, and the median number of fractured ribs was three. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4%. Age, the number of rib fractures, and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were poor predictors of mortality, while the ISS was a slightly better predictor, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.60, 0.55, 0.58, and 0.74, respectively. Multivariate regression showed that age, ISS, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score, but not the number of rib fractures, were associated with significantly elevated adjusted odds ratios for mortality (1.03, 1.14, and 1.28, respectively). Conclusions Age, ISS, and comorbidities were independently associated with the risk of mortality; however, they were not accurate predictors of death. The factors associated with rib fracture mortality are complex and cannot be explained by a single variable. Interventions to improve outcomes must be multifaceted.
ISSN:2799-4317
2287-1683