The increase in copeptin levels in mild head trauma does not predict the severity and the outcome of brain damage

Aim: To investigate the copeptin prognostic role in mild head trauma. Methods: We enrolled 105 adult patients who entered the emergency room because of recent mild head trauma; we evaluated: clinical picture, imaging and laboratory data (including copeptin). Results: Copeptin resulted higher in mild head trauma patients compared with controls: 29.89 pmol/l versus 7.05 pmol/l (p = 0.0008). Copeptin failed in identifying patients with or without brain lesions detected by CT scan, and patients with or without adverse events during the 30 days follow-up. Conclusion: We confirmed that mild head trauma patients have a significantly higher copeptin plasma levels compared with controls. Nevertheless, we did not observe a significant role for copeptin in traumatic brain injury patients regarding brain damage and outcome.