Prognostic Factors for Stage 3 Acute Kidney Injury in Isolated Serious Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Stage 3 acute kidney injury (AKI) has been observed to develop after serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is associated with worse outcomes, though its incidence is not consistently established. This study aims to report the incidence of stage 3 AKI in serious isolated TBI in a large, national trauma database and explore associated predictive factors. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using 2015–2018 data from the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program, a national database of trauma patients. Adult trauma patients admitted to the hospital with isolated serious TBI were included. Variables relating to demographics, comorbidities, vitals, hospital presentation, and course of stay were assessed. Imputed multivariable logistic regression assessed factors predictive of stage 3 AKI development. Results: A total of 342,675 patients with isolated serious TBI were included, 1585 (0.5%) of whom developed stage 3 AKI. Variables associated with stage 3 AKI in multivariable analysis were older age, male sex, Black race, higher body mass index, history of hypertension, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease, higher injury severity score, higher heart rate on arrival, lower oxygen saturation and motor Glasgow Coma Scale, admission to the intensive care unit or operating room, development of catheter-associated urinary tract infections or acute respiratory distress syndrome, longer intensive care unit stay, and ventilation duration. Conclusions: Stage 3 AKI occurred in 0.5% of serious TBI cases. Complications of acute respiratory distress syndrome and catheter-associated urinary tract infections are more likely to co-occur with stage 3 AKI in patients with serious TBI.