Background Hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1α) is implicated in the cell’s response to hypoxia. We investigated whether serum HIF-1α concentrations are correlated with the severity and clinical outcome of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). Methods Serum HIF-1α concentrations were quantified in 104 sTBI patients and 80 healthy controls. Trauma severity was assessed using Glasgow coma scale (GCS). Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score of 1–3 at post-trauma 90 days was defined as a poor outcome. Multivariate analyses were performed to discern the relationship between serum HIF-1α concentrations and outcome. Results Patients displayed significantly higher serum HIF-1α concentrations than controls (median, 294.9 versus 102.7 pg/ml). HIF-1α concentrations were intimately related to GCS scores (r = -0.62) and GOS scores (r = -0.64). 48 patients (46.2%) experienced a poor outcome. Serum HIF-1α concentrations > 280.2 pg/ml significantly distinguished patients with the development of poor outcome with 77.1% sensitivity and 69.6% specificity (AUC, 0.750; 95% CI: 0.655–0.829). Serum HIF-1α concentrations > 280.2 pg/ml emerged as an independent predictor for poor outcome (OR: 4.179; 95% CI: 1.024–17.052). Conclusions Serum HIF-1α concentrations are tightly associated with trauma severity and poor 90-day outcome, substantializing serum HIF-1α as a promising prognostic biomarker for sTBI.
