Objective: To evaluate whether tentative prognostic models for intensive care unit survival of multiple trauma patients could be improved by including endocrine parameters.
Design: Prospective study.
Patients: Eighty-three male and 11 female multiple trauma patients.
Measurements: Upon admission, severity of trauma was assessed with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and the Injury Severity Score (IS). Concurrently, blood was drawn to measure thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), trioodothyronine (T3), corticotropin (ACTH), prolactin (PRL), cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). Adrenal reserve was assessed with the Synacthen test.
Results: Seventy-five of the 83 men and 8 of the 11 women survived. APACHE II and SOFA scores were higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (with considerable overlap). From the baseline endocrine work-up, survivors had higher ACTH and DHEAS values compared to non-survivors (also with considerable overlap). No differences between survivors and non-survivors were noted in the Synacthen test or in thyroid function tests. Nevertheless, a multivariate logistic regression model that incorporated the APACHE II score and hormonal parameters (Cortisol post-Synacthen, DHEAS, TSH*age) was well-fitted to assess survival/non-survival as an endpoint and better than APACHE II, SOFA or IS scores alone to predict ICU survival or death.
Conclusion: In critically ill multiple trauma patients, age, TSH, Cortisol post-Synacthen and DHEAS values upon admission to the ICU, combined with the APACHE II score, may predict outcome more accurately than the APACHE II score alone.an the APACHe II score alone.