Outcomes after isolated rib fractures in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients: A propensity matched analysis

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are a common traumatic injury among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and major risk factors for poor outcomes need ongoing investigation. METHODS: A propensity matched analysis using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) from 2021 to 2023 including ESRD vs. non-ESRD patients who sustained isolated rib fractures. Patients were matched for demographics, injury severity, trauma mechanism, and comorbidities. RESULTS: The study included 2456 patients with a mean age of 71 years, all of which sustained blunt trauma. In-hospital mortality was 3% in ESRD patients vs 1% in non-ESRD patients (p = 0.02). ESRD patients also had longer hospital length of stay. On multivariate analysis, ESRD was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.5, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The presence of ESRD in trauma patients with isolated rib fractures is associated with poorer outcomes.