Predictors of Outcome in Management of Head Trauma: A Retrospective Study

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Identifying predictors of outcomes is essential to improve management strategies and patient prognosis. Objective: To assess clinical and radiological predictors of outcomes in patients with head trauma admitted to Mardan Medical Complex, Bacha Khan Medical College, Mardan. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex, Bacha Khan Medical College, Mardan, over twelve months, from January to December 2023. A total of 354 patients admitted with head trauma were included. Patient data, including demographics, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission, mechanism of injury, CT findings, timing of intervention, and type of management, were collected. Outcomes were categorized as favorable (good recovery, moderate disability) or unfavorable (severe disability, vegetative state, death) using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing chi-square tests to assess associations. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of patients was 49.45 ± 18.64 years. Favorable outcomes were observed in 244 (68.9%) patients, while 110 (31.1%) had unfavorable outcomes. Patients with mild GCS had favorable outcomes in 69.1% of cases, while severe GCS cases had favorable outcomes in 79.1%. Early intervention resulted in favorable outcomes in 70.8% of cases, compared to 63.8% for delayed interventions. None of the predictors demonstrated statistically significant associations with outcomes. Conclusion: Although no statistically significant associations were observed, trends in GCS scores, CT findings, timing of intervention, and type of management highlight their potential roles in influencing outcomes. Further research is needed to validate these findings and enhance prognostic accuracy.