Hyperbilirubinemia is frequently reported in trauma patients. However, few studies have investigated the effects of hyperbilirubinemia on patients’ clinical trajectories. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between hyperbilirubinemia and patient outcomes following trauma. Our study included 387 patients who were admitted to the trauma bay with severe trauma between January 2017 and December 2021. We categorized patients into two groups based on their peak bilirubin levels: the low-bilirubin (LB) group, with levels below 3 mg/dL, and the high-bilirubin (HB) group, with levels above 3 mg/dL. We then compared the rates of complications and mortality between these two groups. The incidence of pneumonia (10.8% vs. 32.3%, p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (AKI) (2.8% vs. 19.2%, p < 0.001), sepsis (2.8% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.003), and wound infections (8.3% vs. 30.3%, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in the HB group. Additionally, the mortality rate was significantly higher (4.2% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.028) in the HB group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the higher the bilirubin level, the greater the risk of complications (pneumonia: odds ratio [OR] = 3.238; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.68–6.22; p < 0.001, AKI: OR = 4.718; 95% CI = 1.65–13.44; p = 0.004, sepsis: OR = 3.087; 95% CI = 1.00–9.52; p = 0.04, wound infection: OR = 3.995; 95% CI = 2.073–7.700; p < 0.001). In conclusion, hyperbilirubinemia was associated with poorer outcomes in trauma patients.

Yang JS, et al. Korean J Adult Nurs. 2023 May;35(2):107-116. https://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2023.35.2.107

Hwang IJ, et al. Korean J Neurotrauma. 2024 Mar;20(1):17-26. https://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2024.20.e9

The COVID-19 pandemic, starting in 2020, changed the daily activities of people in the world and it might also affect patterns of major trauma. This study aimed to compare the epidemiology and outcomes of trauma patients before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. This was a retrospective study, conducted in a single regional trauma center in Korea, and patients were grouped as pre- and post-COVID-19 and compared in terms of demographics, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes. A total of 4585 patients were included in the study and the mean age was 57.60 ± 18.55 and 59.06 ± 18.73 years in the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups, respectively. The rate of elderly patients (age ≥ 65) significantly increased in the post-COVID-19 group. In terms of injury patterns, self-harm was significantly increased after COVID-19 (2.6% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.021). Mortality, hospital length of stay, 24 h, and transfusion volume were not significantly different. Among the major complications, acute kidney injury, surgical wound infection, pneumonia, and sepsis were significantly different between the groups. This study revealed changes in the age of patients, injury patterns and severity, and major complication rates after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Jeong TS, et al. Korean J Neurotrauma. 2025 Apr;21(2):67-78. https://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2025.21.e14

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify changes in knowledge, self-efficacy and anxiety achieved through the provision of video education on chemotherapy with a portable infusion pump to colorectal cancer patients. Methods: This study is a nonequivalent control group and non-synchronized design as a quasi-experimental study. Participants in this study were colorectal cancer patients who received chemotherapy with a portable infusion pump through an ambulatory care unit. For 48 subjects, the education was divided into printed materials and videos, and knowledge, self-efficacy, and anxiety were measured. Data were analyzed using independent t test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon's signed rank test. Results: In the video education group, knowledge (Z=-4.09, p<.001) and self-efficacy (Z=-2.72, p=.012) significantly increased after education, and anxiety significantly decreased after education (Z=2.24, p=.035). However, there was no difference in knowledge (t=0.09, p=.931), self-efficacy (t=1.22, p=.229), and anxiety (t=-1.16, p=.250) between the groups after education. Conclusion: To improve the quality of life of cancer patients, it is necessary to promote self-efficacy and reduce anxiety. The results of this study suggest that more diverse educational methods should be attempted to improve knowledge and self-efficacy and reduce anxiety in colorectal cancer patients.