Risk Factors of Acute Gastrointestinal Failure in Critically Ill Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the risk factors associated with acute gastrointestinal failure (AGF) in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

Prospective, observational study was conducted in NanFang Hospital, Southern Medical University. All patients admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine and Department of Neurosurgery from June 1, 2017 to December 1, 2018 with TBI were enrolled.

RESULTS

Overall, 199 patients were enrolled. About 62 episodes (31%) of AGF were diagnosed. In the multivariate analysis, women, severe Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) classification, frontal lobe injury, abnormal serum sodium, pulmonary infection, and intracranial infection are significantly associated with developing AGF, independent of other prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

The AGF occurs frequently in intensive care unit patients who are suffering from TBI. In critically ill patients with TBI, women, severe GCS classification, frontal lobe injury, abnormal serum sodium, pulmonary infection, and intracranial infection are independent risk factors for AGF.