In-Hospital Mortality in Diffuse Axonal Injury: Identifying Key Risk Factors for Improved Outcomes Mortality Predictors in Diffuse Axonal Injury
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Abstract
Background: Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a severe subtype of traumatic brain injury associated with high morbidity and mortality. Identifying key clinical predictors is crucial to improve outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate in-hospital mortality and identify key clinical predictors of mortality in patients with DAI.
Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted from April 2023 to March 2024 at the Neurosurgical Ward, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. A total of 102 patients aged 18-70 years with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores <8 and confirmed DAI via computed tomography (CT) within 12 hours of admission were included. Data on demographics, clinical symptoms, and outcomes were analyzed using chi-square tests, logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis in SPSS version 25.
Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 9.8% (10 patients). Seizures (OR = 9.52, p<0.001), papilledema (OR = 4.30, p=0.010), and meningismus (OR = 3.10, p=0.026) were significant predictors of mortality.
Conclusion: Seizures, papilledema, and meningismus were identified as strong predictors of mortality in DAI. Early intervention targeting these symptoms is essential to improve survival.
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