Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Incidence, But Not Mortality, Has Decreased Nationwide: A National Trauma Data Bank Study

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) incidence is reported to have decreased in recent years. However, no large-scale study to date has exclusively examined ARDS in the critically injured. We sought to examine the national incidence of ARDS and its associated outcomes exclusively in adult trauma patients. The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) was queried to evaluate the incidence of ARDS and associated outcomes over a 6-year study period (2007-2012). Included patients were >= 18 years old, with at least one ventilator day, and complications recorded. ARDS-associated outcomes and complications were also analyzed. Mean age increased over the study period (48.1-51.4 years, P < 0.003). ARDS incidence decreased from 21.5 to 8.5 per cent (P < 0.001). Length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS (ICU LOS), and ventilator days decreased over time. Mortality increased from 21.3 to 24.9 per cent (P < 0.002). Incidence of pneumonia and acute kidney injury increased marginally (39.5-40.9% and 11.4-12.3%, respectively). Sepsis trended down from 2007 to 2010, after which comparable NTDB data were not available. ARDS incidence in mechanically ventilated adult trauma patients has decreased significantly in recent years. We theorize this is likely attributable to improved critical care strategies. Unlike ARDS incidence, mortality in this patient population has not improved despite these advancements.