Unsupervised Clustering Analysis Based on MODS Severity Identifies Four Distinct Organ Dysfunction Patterns in Severely Injured Blunt Trauma Patients

Purpose: We sought to identify a MODS score parameter that highly correlates with adverse outcomes and then use this parameter to test the hypothesis that multiple severity-based MODS clusters could be identified after blunt trauma. Methods: MOD score across days (D) 2–5 was subjected to Fuzzy C-means Clustering Analysis (FCM) followed by eight Clustering Validity Indices (CVI) to derive organ dysfunction patterns among 376 blunt trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) who survived to discharge. Thirty-one inflammation biomarkers were assayed (Luminex™) in serial blood samples (3 samples within the first 24 h and then daily up to D 5) and were analyzed using Two-Way ANOVA and Dynamic Network analysis (DyNA). Results: The FCM followed by CVI suggested four distinct clusters based on MOD score magnitude between D2 and D5. Distinct patterns of organ dysfunction emerged in each of the four clusters and exhibited statistically significant differences with regards to in-hospital outcomes. Interleukin (IL)-6, MCP-1, IL-10, IL-8, IP-10, sST2, and MIG were elevated differentially over time across the four clusters. DyNA identified remarkable differences in inflammatory network interconnectivity. Conclusion: These results suggest the existence of four distinct organ failure patterns based on MOD score magnitude in blunt trauma patients admitted to the ICU who survive to discharge.