Serum melatonin levels in survivor and non-survivor patients with traumatic brain injury

Abstract Background Circulating levels of melatonin in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been determined in a little number of studies with small sample size (highest sample size of 37 patients) and only were reported the comparison of serum melatonin levels between TBI patients and healthy controls. As to we know, the possible association between circulating levels of melatonin levels and mortality of patients with TBI have not been explored; thus, the objective of our current study was to determine whether this association actually exists. Methods This multicenter study included 118 severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale Results We found that non-survivor ( n  = 33) compared to survivor ( n  = 85) TBI patients showed higher circulating levels of melatonin ( p p p p  = 0.004), after to control for GCS, CT findings and age. We found a correlation between serum levels of melatonin levels and serum levels of TAC (rho = 0.37; p p  = 0.008). Conclusions As to we know, our study is the largest series providing circulating melatonin levels in patients with severe TBI. The main findings were that non-survivors had higher serum melatonin levels than survivors, and the association between serum levels of melatonin levels and mortality, peroxidation state and antioxidant state.