The outcome of severe traumatic brain injury patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine factors that influence outcome after severe traumatic brain injury at the Kenyatta National Hospital. METHODS: A prospective study over 6 months (April- September 2005) involving 87 adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. Basic demographic, clinical, biologic and radiological data were recorded at admission and during their ICU stay. RESULTS: This study included 73 men (83.9%) and 14 women (16.1%) with a mean age of 34 ± 17 years. Motor vehicle accidents were the main cause of trauma (58.6%). 46 of the 87 patients died (54.0%). According to univariate analysis factors that correlated with poor outcome were age (>60 years), Glasgow coma scale lower than 5,diffuse axonal injury and intracranial mass lesion, CSF rhinorrhoea and blood sugar higher than 10 mrnol/l. CONCLUSIONS: In Kenya severe traumatic brain injury is a frequent cause of hospitalization comprising 14.3%of adult ICUlHDU admissions and it's observed most frequent in young men. The short-term outcome is poor with a high (54%) mortality rate. Prevention is highly advised.