A retrospective study of factors affecting mortality and morbidity in trauma patients followed up in emergency intensive care unit

Aim: Trauma is a complex clinical picture characterised by serious injuries requiring emergency intensive care and involving many factors affecting mortality and morbidity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic and biochemical characteristics of trauma patients followed up in the emergency intensive care unit and the effect of trauma scoring systems on mortality and prognosis. Material and methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 256 patients over 18 years of age who were followed up in the Dicle University Emergency Intensive Care Unit for trauma between 2021 and 2025. Demographic data, biochemical and haematological parameters, and trauma scores, such as GCS, ISS, NISS, RTS, and TRISS, were analysed. Results: 58.2% of the patients were deceased. Glucose, creatinine, CRP, Na, K, WBC and neutrophil levels were significantly higher and calcium, haemoglobin and platelet levels were significantly lower in the excitus group (all p < 0.05). GCS, RTS, and TRISS scores were significantly higher in survivors (p < 0.001; p = 0.008; p = 0.001). Additionally, statistically significant correlations were found between specific biochemical parameters and scores, including GCS, NISS, and TRISS. AIS scores also showed a significant correlation with mortality (p = 0.015). Limited differences were observed in scores according to trauma mechanism and injury sites. Conclusion: Scoring systems used in combination with biochemical markers have a high prognostic value in predicting mortality in trauma patients. The integration of these systems into clinical applications may provide significant contributions to patient management. Keywords: trauma, intensive care, mortality, trauma scoring systems, biochemical markers, prognostic factors.