Comparison of Inflammatory Markers (Serum Mitochondrial DNA, Delta Neutrophil Index, Inflammatory Cytokines) According to the Injury Severity, and Development of Risk Prediction Model Using Inflammatory Markers for Trauma Patients

1. Research Hypothesis

1. Trauma -> Inflammation -> Severe inflammation -> Poor prognosis
2. If the degree of inflammation in the serum is precisely measurable, the prognosis of patients with trauma can be predicted. In addition, if inflammatory processes linked to serum mitochondrial DNA copy number (smtDNAcn) and delta neutrophil index (DNI) are demonstrated, early intervention to improve outcomes in patients with trauma and a poor prognosis may be possible.

2. Basis of Research Hypothesis

1. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is currently used as a measurement tool to evaluate the severity and prognosis of critically ill patients. Recently, some studies reported that the DNI, an inflammatory index, is useful as a prognostic index. Although DNI is a simple prognostic index, further studies are necessary to investigate its usefulness as a reliable prognostic index for severely injured patients.
2. Therefore, this study aimed to:

i. prospectively analyze the effectiveness of DNI by measuring the degree of inflammation in severely injured patients;

ii. Measure serum mitochondrial DNA, which is suggested as a mechanism preceding DNI elevation, and identify the sequence of inflammatory steps leading to circulating mitochondrial DNA as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), DNI, neutrophils, and inflammatory cytokines; and

iii. Establish the effectiveness of each indicator as a prognostic factor, construct a prediction model for poor prognosis, and prove the effectiveness of the final risk model.