Table 1. Group demographics.
| Early (n = 16) | Late (n = 17) | p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, year, median (range) | 62 (19–92) | 68 (19–92) | p = 0.47 |
| BMI, Kg/m2, median (range) | 22.7 (16.8–35.9) | 24.2 (17.0–31.7) | p = 0.45 |
| Sex, male/female, n | 11/5 | 15/2 | p = 0.24 |
| Current Smoking, n (%) | 2 (12.5) | 7 (41.2) | p = 0.85 |
| COPD, n (%) | 0 (0) | 1 (6.3) | p = 1.0 |
| Mechanism of the trauma | p = 0.44 | ||
| MSC, n (%) | 10 (62.5) | 9 (52.9) | |
| MVA, n (%) | 1 (6.3) | 1 (5.9) | |
| Pedestrian, n (%) | 2 (12.5) | 2 (11.8) | |
| High-energy fall, n (%) | 1 (6.3) | 3 (17.6) | |
| Low-energy fall, n (%) | 2 (12.5) | 2 (11.8) | |
| Chest trauma | |||
| Number of fractured ribs, median (range) | 5 (4–8) | 6 (4–16) | p = 0.19 |
| Total number of fractures., median (range) | 7.5 (4–16) | 9 (4–33) | p = 0.36 |
| Flail chest, n (%) | 10 (62.5) | 11 (64.7) | p = 0.44 |
| Hemothorax, n (%) | 12 (75.0) | 16 (94.1) | p = 0.56 |
| Pneumothorax, n (%) | 5 (31.3) | 7 (41.2) | p = 0.84 |
| The RibScore, median (range) | 2 (0–4) | 3 (0–6) | p = 0.38 |
| Rib Fracture Score, median (range) | 9.5 (4–16) | 12 (4–68) | p = 0.22 |
| BPC 18, median (range) | 3.5 (1–9) | 4 (1–12) | p = 0.26 |
| Associated injuries | p = 0.57 | ||
| Clavicle fracture, n (%) | 3 (18.8) | 6(35.3) | |
| Scapula fracture, n (%) | 5 (31.3) | 6(35.3) | |
| Sternum fracture, n (%) | 3 (18.8) | 1 (5.9) | |
| Head injury, n (%) | 3 (18.8) | 1 (5.9) | |
| Lower extremity, n (%) | 4 (25) | 2 (11.8) | |
| Spinal, pelvic, or visceral injury, n (%) | 4 (25) | 5 (29.4) | |
| Chest AIS, median (range) | 4 (3–4) | 4 (3–5) | p = 0.17 |
| ISS, median (range) | 20 (9–24) | 20 (9–43) | p = 0.15 |
BMI: Body mass index; COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; MSC: Motor scooter collision; MVA: Motor vehicle accident; BPC: Blunt pulmonary contusion; AIS: Abbreviated injury scale; ISS: Injury severity score