Association between serum concentrations of anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 protein and traumatic brain injury mortality.

Background: There are scarce and contradictory data existing about B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), one of the Bcl2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins, in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze whether blood concentrations of Bcl2 are associated with mortality.

Methods: Patients with isolated and severe TBI, defined as <10 points of the Injury Severity Score (ISS) in non-cranial aspects and <9 points in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), were included. This was an observational and prospective study carried out in five Intensive Care Units. Serum Bcl2 concentrations on day 1 of TBI were determined.

Results: Serum Bcl2 concentrations were lower (p < 0.001) in surviving patients (n = 59) compared to non-survivors (n = 24). We found an association between serum Bcl2 levels and mortality controlling for age and GCS (OR = 1.149; 95% CI = 1.056-1.251; p = 0.001) and controlling for computer tomography findings (OR = 1.147; 95% CI = 1.056-1.246; p = 0.001).

Conclusions: This study reports for the first time an association between serum Bcl2 levels and 30-day mortality in TBI patients.