Time to recovery and its predictors following traumatic injuries among injured victims in Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North East of Ethiopia, 2022: a retrospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Injuries are an extremely important public health problem worldwide. Despite being largely preventable and despite government efforts, injuries continue to be a major public health issue. Thus, the study tends to evaluate the time to recovery and its predictors for traumatic injuries. METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective follow-up study was used. A total of 329 medical charts were actually reviewed. Traumatic injury victims from January 1, 2018-December 31, 2022 were included, and a simple random sampling technique was utilized. The data was gathered by reviewing medical charts. Data was coded and entered into Epi-Data Manager version 4.6.0.4 statistical software and further analyzed using STATA version 17. Descriptive statistics were performed to see the frequency distribution of variables. A Kaplan-Meier survival estimate and log rank test were performed to plot the overall survival curve and compare the difference in recovery among predictor categories, respectively. A model fitness test was done by using the Cox-Snell residual test and Harrell's C concordance statistic. Finally, a Cox proportional hazard model was fitted to determine the effect of predictors on recovery time from traumatic injuries. RESULTS: The median time to recovery of traumatic injuries was 5 days (IQR: 3-10 days), with an overall incidence density of 8.77 per 100 person-days of observation. In the multivariable cox proportional regression model, variables such as being male (AHR: 0.384, 95%CI: 0.190-0.776, P-value: 0.008), the Glasgow coma scale of 13-15 (AHR: 2.563, 95%CI: 1.070-6.139, P-value: 0.035), intentional injury (AHR: 1.934, 95%CI: 1.03-3.632, P-value: 0.040), mild traumatic brain injury (AHR: 2.708, 95%CI: 1.095-6.698, P-value: 0.031), and moderate traumatic brain injury (AHR: 2.253, 95%CI: (1.033-4.911, P-value: 0.041) were statistically significant variables. CONCLUSIONS: The median recovery time for traumatically injured respondents was 5 days. Independent predictors such as the Glasgow coma scale, time taken for surgical management, intent of injury, and traumatic brain injury were statistically significant with time to recovery from trauma.

Time to recovery and its predictors among critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation from intensive care unit in Ethiopia: a retrospective follow up study.

INTRODUCTION: For critically ill patients, mechanical ventilation is considered a pillar of respiratory life support. The mortality of victims in intensive care units is high in resource-constrained Sub-Saharan African countries. The recovery and prognosis of mechanically ventilated victims are unknown, according to evidence. The goal of the study was to see how long critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation survived. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study was conducted. A total of 376 study medical charts were reviewed. Data was collected through reviewing medical charts. Data was entered into Epi-data manager version 4.6.0.4 and analyzed through Stata version 16. Descriptive analysis was performed. Kaplan- Meier survival estimates and log rank tests were performed. Cox proportional hazard model was undertaken. RESULTS: Median recovery time was 15 days (IQR: 6-30) with a total recovery rate of 4.49 per 100 person-days. In cox proportional hazard regression, diagnosis category {AHR: 1.690, 95% CI: (1.150- 2.485)}, oxygen saturation {AHR: 1.600, 95% CI: (1.157- 2.211)}, presence of comorbidities {AHR: 1.774, 95% CI: (1.250-2.519)}, Glasgow coma scale {AHR: 2.451, 95% CI: (1.483- 4.051)}, and use of tracheostomy {AHR: 0.276, 95% CI: (0.180-0.422)} were statistically significant predictors. DISCUSSION: Based on the outcomes of this study, discussions with suggested possible reasons and its implications were provided. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Duration and recovery rate of patients on mechanical ventilation is less than expected of world health organization standard. Diagnosis category, oxygen saturation, comorbidities, Glasgow coma scale and use of tracheostomy were statistically significant predictors. Mechanical ventilation durations should be adjusted for chronic comorbidities, trauma, and use of tracheostomy.