RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Association between septic shock and tracheal injury score in intensive care unit patients with invasive ventilation: a prospective single-centre cohort study in China JF BMJ Open JO BMJ Open FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group SP e078763 DO 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078763 VO 14 IS 5 A1 Zhang, Pei A1 Yang, Qilin A1 Yin, Chunhua A1 Cai, Zhigang A1 Lu, Huaihai A1 Li, Haitao A1 Li, Liwen A1 Tian, Ye A1 Bai, Long A1 Huang, Lining YR 2024 UL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/5/e078763.abstract AB Objectives There was no evidence regarding the relationship between septic shock and tracheal injury scores. Investigate whether septic shock was independently associated with tracheal injury scores in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with invasive ventilation.Design Prospective observational cohort study.Setting Our study was conducted in a Class III hospital in Hebei province, China.Participants Patients over 18 years of age admitted to the ICU between 31 May 2020 and 3 May 2022 with a tracheal tube and expected to be on the tube for more than 24 hours.Primary and secondary outcome measures Tracheal injuries were evaluated by examining hyperaemia, ischaemia, ulcers and tracheal perforation by fiberoptic bronchoscope. Depending on the number of lesions, the lesions were further classified as moderate, severe or confluent.Results Among the 97 selected participants, the average age was 56.6±16.5 years, with approximately 64.9% being men. The results of adjusted linear regression showed that septic shock was associated with tracheal injury scores (β: 2.99; 95% CI 0.70 to 5.29). Subgroup analysis revealed a stronger association with a duration of intubation ≥8 days (p=0.013).Conclusion Patients with septic shock exhibit significantly higher tracheal injury scores compared with those without septic shock, suggesting that septic shock may serve as an independent risk factor for tracheal injury.Trial registration number ChiCTR2000037842, registered 03 September 2020. Retrospectively registered, https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=57011&htm=4.Data are available upon reasonable request. Data are available on reasonable request. Anonymous data sets are available from the corresponding author (27701226@hebmu.edu.cn).