Post-injury multiple organ failure and late outcome. Is it just an association?

Multiple organ failure (MOF) is associated with a high rate of mortality in trauma patients. Several studies focused on long-term outcome in these patients, and showed that MOF is related to both in-hospital and late mortality and functional status. Exact mechanism of sequelae in MOF is still unclear. The distinction between early and late MOF probably helps to separate two different clinical conditions and find a stronger relationship with outcome.