The Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Trauma Patients in South Korea

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected societies worldwide, including the medical healthcare system and trauma care. This study explores the impact of COVID-19 infection on trauma patients in South Korea, a country with effective pandemic management. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 4206 trauma patients from June 2020 to May 2022 was conducted. Patients were categorized into COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative groups. Various clinical parameters, complications, and mortality rates were analyzed. Results: COVID-19-positive patients exhibited higher rates of complications, such as pressure sores (8.8% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.001), surgical site infections (2.4% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.044), and pneumonia (8.8% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.007). There was no significant difference in mortality between COVID-19-positive and -negative groups (4% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.439). Factors influencing mortality included COVID-19 status, age, Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, and transfusion status. Conclusion: COVID-19 positivity may have adverse clinical effects on trauma patients, but the impact varies based on public health factors. Additional studies in different contexts are crucial to elucidate these complexities.