Gender-specific differences in therapy and laboratory parameters and validation of mortality predictors in severely injured patients--results of a German level 1 trauma center.

purposeGender-specific differences in trauma patients have been reported in several studies. There is a lack of knowledge about differences in therapy and laboratory parameters. The objective of this study is to analyze differences between genders, confirming the therapy and laboratory parameters. Additionally, predictors for mortality were validated.

methodsPatients on primary admission to the hospital between 2002 and 2012 with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 were included. 1073 patients met the inclusion criteria. Comparisons and matched-pair analyses between deceased and survived females, males, and between deceased females and males were conducted.

resultsThe analyzed laboratory parameters differed between genders, especially the base excess, lactate, and coagulation parameters. In particular, females presented values that were normal or only slightly pathological. The prothrombin ratio was 75.3% in female and 63.2% in male (p = 0.027) and lactate 2.5 mmol/l in female and 3.8 mmol/l in male (p = 0.049). No differences between genders could be found in the initial treatment of severely injured patients. Only the infused volume differed between genders with 1178.2 ml in male and 793.6 ml in female (p = 0.02). The known predictors for mortality, lactate, and prothrombin ratio could not be validated in female trauma patients.

conclusionsNo gender differences, except the infused volume, in the treatment of severely injured patients could be found. Differences in laboratory tests, especially base excess, lactate, and coagulation parameters were found. As these parameters are also used as predictors of mortality in trauma patients, gender-specific cut-offs of these laboratory tests might be necessary to avoid underestimating injured women.