Citation

Byrnes MC, McDaniel MD, Moore MB, Helmer SD, Smith RS. J. Trauma 2005; 58(2): 232-237.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, Kansas, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15706181

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:: The potential consequences of obesity in trauma patients are significant, yet incompletely defined by previous studies. OBJECTIVES:: To evaluate the effect of obesity on morbidity and mortality among injured patients. METHODS:: Medical records of all trauma patients evaluated at an American College of Surgeons verified Level I trauma center over a 1-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Morbidity and mortality were assessed after patients were stratified according to body mass index (BMI=kilograms/meters) and injury severity score. RESULTS:: The mortality of patients with a BMI >/=35 (obese patients) was 10.7% versus 4.1% for patients with a BMI<35 (lean patients, p = 0.003). Nearly 27% of obese patients versus 17.6% of lean patients experienced one or more complications while in the hospital (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS:: Obese patients are significantly more likely than lean patients to experience complications and death after a traumatic event. This effect is enhanced with higher levels of injury.