Outcomes and Their Predictors in Post- Intensive Care Patients Admitted With Traumatic Brain Injury at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Southwestern Uganda: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. TBIs are increasing in Uganda, but little is known about outcomes and their predictors in post-ICU patients. This study assessed outcomes and their predictors in post-ICU patients admitted with TBI at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in southwestern Uganda. Methodology: Retrospective study was used to review hospital records of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for MRRH with TBI. Data were entered into Excel, cleaned and exported to Stata version for analysis and presented as mean (standard deviation), median (interquartile range) and number (percent), while using the chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression as predictors for Post-ICU outcomes were used Findings: In the study, males dominated at 73%, while 81% were of working age (15-64 years). Road traffic accidents (83%) were the most common injury mechanism, followed by physical injury at 11%. Length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit was 9 (IQR = 4–8) days, mean GCS at ICU admission and discharge was 7.7 (±2.65) and 10 (±3.27), respectively. Fifty-seven patients (63%) were discharged home; with 73% good recovery Glasgow coma Outcome Scale of hospital discharges. Post- ICU outcomes were associated with GCS at ICU discharge (𝑋2 = 26.338, 𝑝 < 0.001). Having moderate Glasgow Coma Scale on ICU discharge was 3.59 times higher of being discharged home than dying compared to severe GCS on ICU discharge (OR=3.59; 95%CI, 1.11 to 11.63). This study established GCS as a statistical predictor of patient outcomes at ICU discharge. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Based on the findings of this study, prevention of TBI is critical in order to reduce incidence of TBI related mortality. Policy makers to put rules that continuously teach and enforce road safety and traffic rules to all road users.