Background Demographic differences in health outcomes have been reported for chronic diseases, but few data exist on these differences in trauma (defined as acute, life-threatening injuries). Objective To investigate the relationship between the systemic inflammatory response syndrome score after trauma and race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Methods A retrospective chart review of 600 patients from a level I trauma center (1997–2007) was conducted. Inclusion criteria were age 18 to 44 years, Injury Severity Score 15 or greater, and admission to an intensive care unit. Exclusion criteria were use of transfusions, spinal cord injuries, comorbid conditions affecting the inflammatory response, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and missing data (final sample, 246 charts/patients). Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was measured by using the systemic inflammatory response syndrome score. Race was self-reported. Socioeconomic status was defined by insurance and employment. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank sum, Kruskal-Wallis, and χ 2 tests were used for analysis. Results Compared with whites, African Americans (n = 94) had fewer occurrences of the syndrome ( P = .04) and a 14% lower white blood cell count on admission to the intensive care unit (mean, 15 200/μL; 95% CI, 14 400/μL to 16 000/μL vs mean 17 700/μL; 95% CI, 16 700/μL to 18 700/μL; P < .001). Conclusions Demographic differences exist in the systemic inflammatory response syndrome score after trauma. Additional studies in larger populations of patients are needed as well as basic science and translational research to determine potential mechanisms that may explain the differences.

Background Identifying predictors of length of stay in the intensive care unit can help critical care clinicians prioritize care in patients with acute, life-threatening injuries. Objective To determine if systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores are predictive of length of stay in the intensive care unit in patients with acute, life-threatening injuries. Methods Retrospective chart reviews were completed on patients with acute, life-threatening injuries admitted to the intensive care unit at a level I trauma center in the southeastern United States. All 246 eligible charts from the trauma registry database from 1998 to 2007 were included. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores measured on admission were correlated with length of stay in the intensive care unit. Data on race, sex, age, smoking status, and injury severity score also were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression modeling was used to analyze data. Results Severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores on admission to the intensive care unit were predictive of length of stay in the unit ( F =15.83; P <.001), as was white race ( F =9.7; P =.002), and injury severity score ( F =20.23; P <.001). Conclusions Systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores can be measured quickly and easily at the bedside. Data support use of the score to predict length of stay in the intensive care unit.