ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM–AFFECTING MEDICATIONS WITH OCCURRENCE AND SHORT-TERM MORTALITY OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL PAKISTAN

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern worldwide, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: The basic aim of the study is to find the association between central nervous system–affecting medications with occurrence and short-term mortality of traumatic brain injury in a tertiary care hospital Pakistan.

Methodology of the study: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Neurosurgery, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zeyyad Hospital Quetta from January 2021 June 2022.A total of 110 patients with traumatic brain injury were enrolled in the study. Demographic details such as age, gender, and place of residence were recorded. Clinical information pertaining to the TBI, including the mechanism of injury and severity of TBI based on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, was noted.

Results: Data were collected from 110 patients according to criteria of the study.Out of the 110 patients in the study, 68 (61.8%) were male and 42 (38.2%) were female, with a mean age of 45.6 ± 18.4 years. The majority of patients were from urban areas (60%), while 40% resided in rural regions. The mechanisms of injury included road traffic accidents (55%), falls (30%), and assaults (15%). Regarding the severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI), 27.3% had mild TBI, 40.9% had moderate TBI, and 31.8% had severe TBI based on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores.Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that the use of CNS-affecting medications was associated with an increased risk of mortality (p = 0.04, HR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.05-4.41).

Conclusion: It is concluded that the use of CNS-affecting medications is associated with a higher occurrence and increased short-term mortality of TBI in patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.