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Updated June 28th, 2021 at 19:22 IST

COVID-19 patients with history of traumatic injuries face greater risk of death: Study

Study revealed that coronavirus positive patients with traumatic injuries have a six times higher risk of death and complication than patients without COVID-19.

Reported by: Bhavya Sukheja
Covid-19
IMAGE: UNSPLASH/PIXABAY | Image:self
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A recent study revealed that coronavirus positive patients with traumatic injuries have a six times higher risk of death and complication than patients without COVID. The research, published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Surgery, showed that the virus increased the risk of complications and death among trauma patients with injuries from car crashes, falls or other accidents, or who were victims of violent injuries such as gunshots and stabbings. The researchers at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that the patients in trauma centres across the state, who also tested positive for COVID-19, had a six times higher risk of death than patients with similar injuries without COVID. 

The study further even showed that COVID positive patients also demonstrated double the likelihood of complications such as venous thromboembolism, renal failure, need for intubation, and unplanned ICU admission, as well as more than five times the odds of pulmonary complications. The researchers informed that these risks were even greater in patients over the age of 65. 

Lead author Elinore Kaufman, MD, MSHP, an assistant professor in the Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Emergency Surgery at Penn Medicine, said, “COVID-19 had the largest impact on patients whose injuries were relatively minor, and who we would have otherwise expected to do well”.  

Elinore added, “Our findings underscore how important it is for hospitals to consistently test admitted patients so that providers can be aware of this additional risk and treat patients with extra care and vigilance”. 

'Need more data' to administer proven treatments 

As per the study, the researchers conducted a retrospective study of 15,550 patients admitted to Pennsylvania trauma centres from March 21, 2020, to July 31, 2020. They said that of the total number of patients, 8,170 were tested for the virus, and 219 tested positive. The researcher added that during this period, they evaluated length of stay, complications, and overall outcomes for patients who tested positive for COVID, compared to patients who did not have the virus. The research found that the rates of testing increased over time, from 34 per cent in April 2020 to 56 per cent in July. It said that the rates of testing varied substantially across centres, however, with a median of 56.2 per cent and a range of 0 per cent to 96.4 per cent. 

Senior author Niels D. Martin, MD, chief of Surgical Critical Care and an associate professor in the division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care and Emergency Surgery, said, “First, we need to investigate how to best care for these high-risk patients, and establish standard protocols to minimize risks”. 

Niels added, “Second, we need more data on the risks associated with patients who present symptoms of COVID, versus those who are asymptomatic, so we can administer proven treatments appropriately and increase the likelihood of survival with minimal complications”.  

(With inputs from ANI)

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Published June 28th, 2021 at 19:22 IST

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