Living on a prayer: religious affiliation and trauma outcomes

Am Surg. 2012 Jan;78(1):66-8.

Abstract

Research has shown that religious affiliation is associated with reduced all cause mortality. The aim of this study was to determine if religious affiliation predicts trauma-specific mortality and length of stay. Patients admitted to our urban Level I trauma center in 2008 were examined; the main study categorization was based on endorsement of a specific religious affiliation during a standard intake procedure. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed with in-hospital mortality and length of stay as the outcomes of interest, adjusting for demographic and injury severity characteristics. A total of 2303 patients were included in the study. Forty-six per cent endorsed a religious affiliation. Patients with a religious affiliation were more likely to be female, Hispanic, and older than those who reported no affiliation (P < 0.001). There was no difference in length of hospital stay. On bivariate analysis those without religious affiliation were more likely to die (P = 0.01), but this difference disappeared after adjusting for covariates. Although we could not identify a statistical association between religious affiliation and mortality on multivariate analysis, there was an association with injury severity suggesting religious patients were less severely injured.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality*
  • Humans
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Religion*
  • Trauma Centers
  • Wounds and Injuries / mortality*