Infection in the patients with isolated head injury: risk factors and the impact on treatment cost

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine risk factors and the impact on treatment cost of infection in patients with isolated head injury. METHODS: Data acquired from 299 patients (239 males, 60 females; mean age 35,1±23,2 years) with isolated head trauma who were hospitalized for more than 72 hours at Trakya University Training and Research Hospital between 2001-2007 were evaluated retrospectively. Data including age, gender, initial neurological examination, radiological findings, duration of hospitalization, need for surgery, cost of infection treatment, total cost of care, and outcome scores were determined. Two groups divided according to the development of infection were compared for risk factors and the impact of infection on the cost of treatment. RESULTS: In the group of patients with infection, the mean Glasgow Coma Scale score at delivery was lower; anisocoria, light reflex loss, lateralized deficit, skull base fracture, subdural hematoma, and cerebral edema findings were more frequent. A four-times longer hospital stay, 10-times higher total cost and a significantly increased mortality rate were determined in this group. For the patients with light head injury, in the group of patients with infection, the mean age was found to be higher. CONCLUSION: For patients with isolated head injury, there are some risk factors for the development of infection that increase the hospitalization duration, total cost of care and mortality rates.