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An evaluation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome signs in the Sepsis Occurrence in Acutely ill Patients (SOAP) study

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Abstract

Objective

To define the frequency and prognostic implications of SIRS criteria in critically ill patients hospitalized in European ICUs

Design and setting

Cohort, multicentre, observational study of 198 ICUs in 24 European countries.

Patients and interventions

All 3,147 new adult admissions to participating ICUs between 1 and 15 May 2002 were included. Data were collected prospectively, with common SIRS criteria.

Results

During the ICU stay 93% of patients had at least two SIRS criteria [respiratory rate (82%), heart rate (80%)]. The frequency of having three or four SIRS criteria vs. two was higher in infected than non-infected patients (p < 0.01). In non-infected patients having more than two SIRS criteria was associated with a higher risk of subsequent development of severe sepsis (odds ratio 2.6, p < 0.01) and septic shock (odds ratio 3.7, p < 0.01). Organ system failure and mortality increased as the number of SIRS criteria increased.

Conclusions

Although common in the ICU, SIRS has prognostic importance in predicting infections, severity of disease, organ failure and outcome.

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Acknowledgements

This research was endorsed by the European Society for Intensive Care Medicine, and supported by an unlimited grant from Abbott, Baxter, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline and NovoNordisk.

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Correspondence to Charles L. Sprung.

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On behalf of the Sepsis Occurrence in Acutely Ill Patients investigators

Endorsed by the European Society for Intensive Care Medicine, and supported by an unlimited grant from Abbott, Baxter, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline and NovoNordisk

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Sprung, C.L., Sakr, Y., Vincent, JL. et al. An evaluation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome signs in the Sepsis Occurrence in Acutely ill Patients (SOAP) study. Intensive Care Med 32, 421–427 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-005-0039-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-005-0039-8

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