qSOFA Score Research Articles

Survival and 30-day hospital outcome in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019-infected patients in Upper Egypt

Background Determining the clinical features and outcomes of patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is fundamental to improve the understanding and adequate management of the novel illness. This study aims to identify the determinants of survival and the outcome within 30 days in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection in Upper Egypt. Patients and methods A total of 1064 cases were consecutively admitted to isolation hospitals in Upper Egypt. All cases had confirmed COVID-19 infection. The electronic records of the patients were retrospectively revised and the demographic data, clinical manifestations, quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score on admission, and 30-day outcome (ICU admission, death, recovery, or still in hospital) were analyzed. Overall cumulative survival rates in all patients and those more than or less than 50 years were calculated. Results Overall, 49.2% of the study population were males, whereas 50.8% were females, with mean age of 49.4±17.8 years. On admission, 83.9% were stable with qSOFA score less than 1, 3% required noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and 2.1% required O2 therapy. Within 30 days, 203 (19.1%) cases required admission to ICU. Death was recorded in 11.7% of cases, 28.7% recovered, and 59.7% were still under treatment. Determinants of ICU admission and survival in the current study were age more than 50 years, qSOFA more than 1, and need for O2 therapy or noninvasive ventilation. The cumulative survival was 75.3%, with the mean survival of 28.1, and 95.2% overall survival rate was recorded in those aged less than or equal to 50 years. Conclusions Age older than 50 years old, those with preexisting diabetes mellitus, initial qSOFA score, requirement for O2 therapy, and noninvasive ventilation from the first day of hospital admission may be associated with unfavorable 30-day in-hospital outcome of COVID-19.

Implementing capnography for lactate-enhanced qSOFA scores: Sepsis diagnosis in EMS settings

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body produces a pro-inflammatory immune response to infection, leading to a decrease in blood flow that results in organ failure and death. Sepsis has the ability to kill within hours, and is responsible for 20% of deaths globally. However, current diagnostic techniques in the pre-hospital setting are limited by time and resources. It has recently been found that sepsis screening tools like qSOFA and lactate biomarkers used within the hospital could supplement diagnostic needs within the EMS setting. With research showing that lactate levels can be indirectly and instantaneously measured via capnography by EMS personnel, this technique may complement existing sepsis screening tools to achieve faster diagnosis. This article investigates the current flaws of sepsis diagnosis within the EMS setting and evaluates the benefits of the implementation of qSOFA and lactate technology.

Prediction of Outcome in Acute Pancreatitis by the qSOFA and the New ERAP Score

BackgroundEarly identification of patients with acute severe pancreatitis is important for prompt and adequate treatment. Existing scores for pancreatitis are often laborious or require serial patient evaluation, whereas the qSOFA score, that was established to predict outcome in patients with suspected infection, is simple to perform.Aims and MethodsIn this cohort study, we analyse the potential of the qSOFA score to predict outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis and refine the qSOFA score by rapid available laboratory parameters to the emergency room assessment of acute pancreatitis (ERAP) score. Validation was performed in a separate patient cohort.ResultsIn total 203 patients with acute pancreatitis were recruited. The qSOFA score has the potential to predict ICU admission (AUC = 0.730, p = 0.002) and organ failure (AUC = 0.799, p = 0.013) in acute pancreatitis. Respiratory rate, mental status, blood urea nitrogen and C-reactive protein are the rapid available parameters with the highest individual impact in binary logistic regression analyses. Their combination to the ERAP score can predict severity of acute pancreatitis according to the revised Atlanta classification (AUC = 0.689 ± 0.041, p < 0.001), ICU admission (AUC = 0.789 ± 0.067, p < 0.001), multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (AUC = 0.963 ± 0.024, p < 0.001) and mortality (AUC = 0.952 ± 0.028, p = 0.001). The performance and prognostic validity for organ failure and mortality were validated in an independent patient cohort.ConclusionThe qSOFA is a rapidly available prognostic score in acute pancreatitis with limited prognostic validity. A combination with the laboratory parameters BUN and CRP results in the new ERAP score with outstanding prognostic validity for multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and mortality.

Use of sepsis-related diagnostic criteria in primary care: a survey among general practitioners.

BackgroundUse of sepsis-criteria in hospital settings is effective in realizing early recognition, adequate treatment and reduction of sepsis-associated morbidity and mortality. Whether general practitioners (GPs) use these diagnostic criteria is unknown.ObjectiveTo gauge the knowledge and use of various diagnostic criteria. To determine which parameters GPs associate with an increased likelihood of sepsis.MethodsTwo thousand five hundred and sixty GPs were invited and 229 agreed to participate in a survey, reached out to through e-mail and WhatsApp groups. The survey consisted of two parts: the first part aimed to obtain information about the GP, training and knowledge about sepsis recognition, and the second part tested specific knowledge using six realistic cases.ResultsTwo hundred and six questionnaires, representing a response rate of 8.1%, were eligible for analysis. Gut feeling (98.1%) was the most used diagnostic method, while systemic inflammatory response syndrome (37.9%), quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) (7.8%) and UK Sepsis Trust criteria (UKSTc) (1.5%) were used by the minority of the GPs. Few of the responding GPs had heard of either the qSOFA (27.7%) or the UKSTc (11.7%). Recognition of sepsis varied greatly between GPs. GPs most strongly associated the individual signs of the qSOFA (mental status, systolic blood pressure, capillary refill time and respiratory rate) with diagnosing sepsis in the test cases.ConclusionsGPs mostly use gut feeling to diagnose sepsis and are frequently not familiar with the ‘sepsis-criteria’ used in hospital settings, although clinical reasoning was mostly in line with the qSOFA score. In order to improve sepsis recognition in primary care, GPs should be educated in the use of available screening tools.

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) as a biomarker of COVID-19 disease severity and indicator of the need for mechanical ventilation, ARDS and mortality

BackgroundCOVID-19 pneumonia and subsequent respiratory failure is causing an immense strain on intensive care units globally. Early prediction of severe disease enables clinicians to avoid acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) development and improve management of critically ill patients. The soluble receptor of advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) is a biomarker shown to predict ARDS. Although sRAGE level varies depending on the type of disease, there is limited information available on changes in sRAGE levels in COVID-19. Therefore, sRAGE was measured in COVID-19 patients to determine sRAGE level variation in COVID-19 severity and to examine its ability to predict the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) and mortality in COVID-19.MethodsIn this single-centre observational cohort study in Germany, serum sRAGE during acute COVID-19, 20 weeks after the start of COVID-19 symptoms, as well as in control groups of non-COVID-19 pneumonia patients and healthy controls were measured using ELISA. The primary endpoint was severe disease (high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO)/MV and need of organ support). The secondary endpoints were respiratory failure with need of MV and 30-day mortality. The area under the curve (AUC), cut-off based on Youden’s index and odds ratio with 95% CI for sRAGE were calculated with regard to prediction of MV need and mortality.ResultsSerum sRAGE in 164 COVID-19 patients, 101 matched COVID-19 convalescent patients, 23 non-COVID-19 pneumonia patients and 15 healthy volunteers were measured. sRAGE level increased with COVID-19 severity, need for oxygen therapy, HFNO/MV, ARDS severity, need of dialysis and catecholamine support, 30-day mortality, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and quick SOFA (qSOFA) score. sRAGE was found to be a good predictor of MV need in COVID-19 inpatients and mortality with an AUC of 0.871 (0.770–0.973) and 0.903 (0.817–0.990), respectively. When adjusted for male gender, age, comorbidity and SOFA score ≥ 3, sRAGE was independently associated with risk of need for HFNO/MV. When adjusted for SOFA score ≥ 3, sRAGE was independently associated with risk of need for MV.ConclusionsSerum sRAGE concentrations are elevated in COVID-19 patients as disease severity increases. sRAGE should be considered as a biomarker for predicting the need for MV and mortality in COVID-19.

Managing adult patients with infectious diseases in emergency departments: international ID-IRI study

We aimed to explore factors for optimizing antimicrobial treatment in emergency departments. A single-day point prevalence survey was conducted on January 18, 2020, in 53 referral/tertiary hospitals in 22 countries. 1957 (17%) of 11557 patients presenting to EDs had infections. The mean qSOFA score was 0.37 ± 0.74. Sepsis (qSOFA ≥ 2) was recorded in 218 (11.1%) patients. The mean qSOFA score was significantly higher in low-middle (1.48 ± 0.963) compared to upper-middle (0.17 ± 0.482) and high-income (0.36 ± 0.714) countries ( P < 0.001). Eight (3.7%) patients with sepsis were treated as outpatients. The most common diagnoses were upper-respiratory (n = 877, 43.3%), lower-respiratory (n = 316, 16.1%), and lower-urinary (n = 201, 10.3%) infections. 1085 (55.4%) patients received antibiotics. The most-commonly used antibiotics were beta-lactam (BL) and BL inhibitors (n = 307, 15.7%), third-generation cephalosporins (n = 251, 12.8%), and quinolones (n = 204, 10.5%). Irrational antibiotic use and inappropriate hospitalization decisions seemed possible. Patients were more septic in countries with limited resources. Hence, a better organizational scheme is required.

Clinical and microbiological characterization of sepsis and evaluation of sepsis scores.

BackgroundDespite the necessity of early recognition for an optimal outcome, sepsis often remains unrecognized. Available tools for early recognition are rarely evaluated in low- and middle-income countries. In this study, we analyzed the spectrum, treatment and outcome of sepsis at an Ethiopian tertiary hospital and evaluated recommended sepsis scores.MethodsPatients with an infection and ≥2 SIRS criteria were screened for sepsis by SOFA scoring. From septic patients, socioeconomic and clinical data as well as blood cultures were collected and they were followed until discharge or death; 28-day mortality was determined.ResultsIn 170 patients with sepsis, the overall mortality rate was 29.4%. The recognition rate by treating physicians after initial clinical assessment was low (12.4%). Increased risk of mortality was significantly associated with level of SOFA and qSOFA score, Gram-negative bacteremia (in comparison to Gram-positive bacteremia; 42.9 versus 16.7%), and antimicrobial regimen including ceftriaxone (35.7% versus 19.2%) or metronidazole (43.8% versus 25.0%), but not with an increased respiratory rate (≥22/min) or decreased systolic blood pressure (≤100mmHg). In Gram-negative isolates, extended antimicrobial resistance with expression of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase genes was common. Among adult patients, sensitivity and specificity of qSOFA score for detection of sepsis were 54.3% and 66.7%, respectively.ConclusionSepsis is commonly unrecognized and associated with high mortality, showing the need for reliable and easy-applicable tools to support early recognition. The established sepsis scores were either of limited applicability (SOFA) or, as in the case of qSOFA, were significantly impaired in their sensitivity and specificity, demonstrating the need for further evaluation and adaptation to local settings. Regional factors like malaria endemicity and HIV prevalence might influence the performance of different scores. Ineffective empirical treatment due to antimicrobial resistance is common and associated with mortality. Local antimicrobial resistance statistics are needed for guidance of calculated antimicrobial therapy to support reduction of sepsis mortality.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Clinic Visits Immediately Preceding Sepsis Hospitalization.

Existing sepsis quality improvement initiatives focus on recognition and treatment of sepsis upon hospital admission. Yet many patients are evaluated in the clinic within 1 day of sepsis hospitalization. To determine the circumstances of clinic visits that precede sepsis hospitalization, including illness severity, whether patients are referred to the hospital, and time lapse and change in illness severity between clinic and hospital evaluation. In a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary academic medical center, data from electronic medical records were collected for all adult patients evaluated in an outpatient clinic within 1 day of sepsis hospitalization in 2017. Of 1450 patients hospitalized with sepsis, 118 had an established outpatient provider and a clinic visit within 1 day of admission and thus were included. During the clinic visit, 47 patients (39.8%) had a quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score ≥1, and 59 (50.0%) had vital sign abnormalities. Most (74, 62.7%) were sent directly to the emergency department or hospital. Upon emergency department/hospital presentation, 62 patients (52.5%) had a worsening qSOFA score and/ or vital signs and 27 (22.9%) had worsening of multiple parameters. Median time lapse from clinic to emergency department/hospital evaluation was 3.2 hours. One in 10 patients hospitalized for sepsis had been evaluated in a clinic within 1 day of admission. At that clinic visit, most patients had an elevated qSOFA score or abnormal vital signs and a majority were sent directly to the emergency department/hospital. Half experienced clinical deterioration between the clinic visit and arrival in the emergency department/hospital.

Emergency mortality of non-trauma patients was predicted by qSOFA score.

This study was aimed to evaluate the performance of quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) in predicting the emergency department (ED) mortality of non-trauma patients and to expand the application scope of qSOFA score. A single, retrospective review of non-trauma patients was conducted in ED between November 1, 2016 and November 1, 2019. The qSOFA score was obtained from vital signs and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. The outcome was ED mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the association between the qSOFA score and ED mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve, the best cutoff value, sensitivity and specificity were performed to ascertain the predictive value of the qSOFA score. 228(1.96%) of the 11621 patients were died. The qSOFA score was statistically higher in the non-survival group (P<0.001). The qSOFA score 0 subgroup was used as reference baseline, after adjusting for gender and age, adjusted OR of 1, 2 and 3 subgroups were 4.77 (95%CI 3.40 to 6.70), 18.17 (95%CI 12.49 to 26.44) and 23.63 (95%CI 9.54 to 58.52). All these three subgroups show significantly higher ED mortality compared to qSOFA 0 subgroup (P<0.001). AUROC of qSOFA score was 0.76 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.79). The best cutoff value was 0, sensitivity was 77.63% (95%CI 71.7% to 82.9%), and specificity was 67.2% (95%CI 66.3% to 68.1%). The qSOFA score was associated with ED mortality in non-trauma patients and showed good prognostic performance. It can be used as a general tool to evaluate non-trauma patients in ED. This is just a retrospective cohort study, a prospective or a randomized study will be required.

Role of Presepsin for the Diagnosis of Sepsis and ICU Mortality: A Prospective Controlled Study.

BackgroundThis study aimed at evaluating the role of presepsin in early identification of sepsis and prediction of mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients in comparison to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score.Materials and methodsForty patients were selected randomly after admission to adult ICU. Data from emergency room (ER) triaging, and initial laboratory results were gathered to calculate qSOFA score, SIRS criteria, and SOFA score. Presepsin measurement was performed within 6 hours from ER triaging.The patients were categorized into sepsis and nonsepsis groups depending on the clinical and microbiological criteria and SOFA score changes.ResultsTwenty-six patients were diagnosed as septic with an average age of 68.04 ± 18.60 years, while 14 patients were nonseptic with an average age of 51.71 ± 24.88 years.Presepsin with a cutoff value >640 pg/mL (area under the curve [AUC] of 0.848 (p < 0.001}) had a significant diagnostic accuracy of identifying septic cases with sensitivity of 73.08% and specificity of 92.86% as compared to the nonsignificant SIRS (AUC, 0.670; sensitivity, 69.23%; and specificity, 57.14%) or qSOFA (AUC, 0.652; sensitivity, 38.46%; and specificity, 78.57%) criteria.Prespsin with a cutoff value >640 pg/mL also significantly (AUC of 0.920 [p < 0.001]) predicted mortality with sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 66.67% compared to the nonsignificant SIRS (AUC, 0.540; sensitivity, 70.0%; and specificity, 43.33%) or qSOFA (AUC, 0.670; sensitivity, 60%; and specificity, 76.67%) criteria.ConclusionEarly presepsin measurement in ICU patients is more accurate in the diagnosis of sepsis and prediction of mortality as compared to SIRS or qSOFA score.How to cite this articleAbdelshafey EE, Nasa P, Elgohary AE, Khalil MF, Rashwan MA, Ghezala HB, et al. Role of Presepsin for the Diagnosis of Sepsis and ICU Mortality: A Prospective Controlled Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(2):153–157.

Comparison of CURB-65, PSI, and qSOFA for predicting pneumonia mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Some patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) require hospitalization due to pneumonia. Although predictive scoring tools have been developed and validated for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), their usefulness in IPF is unknown. The Confusion, Urea, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure and Age (CURB-65) score and the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) are validated for CAP. The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) is also reported to be useful. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of these tools to predict pneumonia mortality among hospitalized patients with IPF. A total of 79 patients with IPF and pneumonia were hospitalized for the first time between January 2008 and December 2017. The hospital mortality rate was 15.1%. A univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the CURB-65 (odds ratio 4.04, 95% confidence interval 1.60–10.2, p = 0.003), PSI (4.00, 1.48–10.7, 0.006), and qSOFA (5.00, 1.44–1.72, 0.01) scores were significantly associated with hospital mortality. There was no statistically significant difference between the three receiver operating characteristic curves (0.712, 0.736, and 0.692, respectively). The CURB-65, PSI, and qSOFA are useful tools for predicting pneumonia mortality among hospitalized patients with IPF. Because of its simplicity, the qSOFA may be most suitable for early assessment.

Prognostic Accuracy of VqSOFA for Predicting 28-day Mortality in Patients with Suspected Sepsis in the Emergency Department.

Sepsis screening in the emergency department (ED) is challenging. The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score had poor accuracy for predicting mortality in both the intensive care unit and ED. High lactate levels were associated with an increased mortality. However, a previous study using lactate levels in combination with the qSOFA score did not observe a meaningful improvement in predictive accuracy. This study assessed the prognostic accuracy of venous lactate levels plus the qSOFA (VqSOFA) score for predicting 28-day mortality. Patients who visited the Ramathibodi ED with suspected sepsis were enrolled. The VqSOFA, qSOFA, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated using the initial vital signs and laboratory values. Prognostic accuracy was measured using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of the VqSOFA score and Sepsis-3 criteria for predicting 28-day mortality. In total, 1,139 patients were enrolled, 118 of whom died within 28 days of admission. The AUROCs of the VqSOFA, qSOFA, and SOFA scores were 0.851 (95% CI 0.813-0.889), 0.813 (95% CI 0.772-0.854), and 0.728 (95% CI 0.671-0.784), respectively. Using VqSOFA score ≥ 3 as the cutoff, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio were 74.6%, 82.5%, and 4.25%, respectively. VqSOFA ≥ 3 was linked to a low probability of 28-day survival and higher odds of vasopressor and ventilator use within 24 h. VqSOFA was more predictive of 28-day mortality and vasopressor and mechanical ventilator use than the qSOFA and SOFA scores.

National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) to identify inpatient COVID-19 deterioration: a retrospective analysis

We sought to provide the first report of the use of NEWS2 monitoring to pre-emptively identify clinical deterioration within hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Consecutive adult admissions with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were included in this single-centre retrospective UK cohort study. We analysed all electronic clinical observations recorded within 28 days of admission until discharge or occurrence of a serious event, defined as any of the following: initiation of respiratory support, admission to intensive care, initiation of end of life care, or in-hospital death. 133/296 (44.9%) patients experienced at least one serious event. NEWS2 ≥ 5 heralded the first occurrence of a serious event with sensitivity 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-1.00), specificity 0.28 (0.21-0.35), positive predictive value (PPV) 0.53 (0.47-0.59), and negative predictive value (NPV) 0.96 (0.90-1.00). The NPV (but not PPV) of NEWS2 monitoring exceeded that of other early warning scores including the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) (0.59 [0.52-0.66], p<0.001) and quick Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score (0.58 [0.51-0.65], p<0.001). Our results support the use of NEWS2 monitoring as a sensitive method to identify deterioration of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, albeit at the expense of a relatively high false-trigger rate.

Variation of vital signs with potential to influence the performance of qSOFA scoring in the Ethiopian general population at different altitudes of residency: A multisite cross-sectional study.

IntroductionThe physiological range of different vital signs is dependent on various environmental and individual factors. There is a strong interdependent relationship between vital signs and health conditions. Deviations of the physiological range are commonly used for risk assessment in clinical scores, e.g. respiratory rate (RR) and systolic blood pressure (BPsys) in patients with infections within the quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score. A limited number of studies have evaluated the performance of such scores in resource-limited health care settings, showing inconsistent results with mostly poor discriminative power. Divergent standard values of vital parameters in different populations, e.g. could influence the accuracy of various clinical scores.MethodsThis multisite cross-sectional observational study was performed among Ethiopians residing at various altitudes in the cities of Asella (2400m above sea level (a.s.l.)), Adama (1600m a.s.l.), and Semara (400m a.s.l.). Volunteers from the local general population were asked to complete a brief questionnaire and have vital signs measured. Individuals reporting acute or chronic illness were excluded.ResultsA positive qSOFA score (i.e. ≥2), indicating severe illness in patients with infection, was common among the studied population (n = 612). The proportion of participants with a positive qSOFA score was significantly higher in Asella (28.1%; 55/196), compared with Adama, (8.3%; 19/230; p<0.001) and Semara (15.1%; 28/186; p = 0.005). Concerning the parameters comprised in qSOFA, the thresholds for RR (≥22/min) were reached in 60.7%, 34.8%, and 38.2%, and for BPsys (≤100 mmHg) in 48.5%, 27.8%, and 36.0% in participants from Asella, Adama, and Semara, respectively.DiscussionThe high positivity rate of qSOFA score in the studied population without signs of acute infection may be explained by variations of the physiological range of different vital signs, possibly related to the altitude of residence. Adaptation of existing scores using local standard values could be helpful for reliable risk assessment.

Developing Machine-Learning Prediction Algorithm for Bacteremia in Admitted Patients.

PurposeBloodstream infection among hospitalized patients is associated with serious adverse outcomes. Blood culture is routinely ordered in patients with suspected infections, although 90% of blood cultures do not show any growth of organisms. The evidence regarding the prediction of bacteremia is scarce.Patients And MethodsA retrospective review of blood cultures requested for a cohort of admitted patients between 2017 and 2019 was undertaken. Several machine-learning models were used to identify the best prediction model. Additionally, univariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the predictive factors for bacteremia.ResultsA total of 36,405 blood cultures of 7157 patients were done. There were 2413 (6.62%) positive blood cultures. The best prediction was by using NN with the high specificity of 88% but low sensitivity. There was a statistical difference in the following factors: longer admission days before the blood culture, presence of a central line, and higher lactic acid—more than 2 mmol/L.ConclusionDespite the low positive rate of blood culture, machine learning could predict positive blood culture with high specificity but minimum sensitivity. Yet, the SIRS score, qSOFA score, and other known factors were not good prognostic factors. Further improvement and training would possibly enhance machine-learning performance.

Predicting mortality in adults with suspected infection in a Rwandan hospital: an evaluation of the adapted MEWS, qSOFA and UVA scores

RationaleMortality prediction scores are increasingly being evaluated in low and middle income countries (LMICs) for research comparisons, quality improvement and clinical decision-making. The modified early warning score (MEWS), quick Sequential...

One in four die from acute infectious illness in an emergency department in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Despite the breadth of data supporting evidence-based practice for sepsis care in high-resource settings, there are relatively few data to guide the management of sepsis in low-resource settings, particularly in areas where HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are prevalent. Furthermore, few studies had broadened sepsis parameters to include all patients with acute infectious illness or followed patients up after hospital discharge. Understanding the epidemiology and outcomes of acute infections in a local context is the critical first step to developing locally informed targeted management strategies. To quantify and describe the incidence of and risk factors for mortality in a cohort of patients with undifferentiated acute infectious illnesses who presented to an emergency department (ED) in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa (SA). In this prospective cohort study, patients with suspected acute infectious illness were enrolled at a district casualty ward in Mthatha, SA, between 1 July and 1 September 2017. Demographic data, interventions, diagnostic studies and disposition were prospectively collected during the initial encounter and during the hospital stay. Follow-up was conducted both in hospital and via phone interviews 30days after the index visit. A total of 301 patients presented to the ED with acute infectious illness during the study period, of whom 54.8% had complete 30-day follow-up. Of the study population, only 5.7% had a complete set of vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and temperature) documented. Of the cohort, 51.8% had HIV and 32.9% active or treated TB; 25.2% of patients died within 30 days. Accounting for medical history, diagnosis and ED interventions, risk of mortality was independently associated with age (odds ratio (OR) 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00 - 1.06), HIV-positive status (OR 4.10; 95% CI 1.44 - 11.67) and Quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.14 - 3.19) in an adjusted model. No ED interventions were protective for mortality, with intravenous fluid administration associated with increased 30-day mortality in this cohort (OR 3.65; 95% CI 1.38 - 9.62). Among adults with suspected acute infectious illness in Mthatha, SA, 30-day mortality was concerningly high. Mortality was highest in patients with concomitant HIV infection. In particular, vital sign assessment to identify possible sepsis in this cohort is crucial, as it affects mortality to a meaningful extent, yet is often unavailable. Future research is needed on the management of sepsis in low-resource settings, particularly in HIV-positive individuals.

The comparative ability of commonly used disease severity scores to predict death or a requirement for ICU care in patients hospitalised with possible sepsis in Yangon, Myanmar

ObjectivesTo determine the comparative prognostic utility of commonly used disease prediction scores in adults with presumed community-acquired sepsis in a resource-limited tropical setting. MethodsThis prospective, observational study was performed on the medical ward of a tertiary-referral hospital in Yangon, Myanmar. The ability of the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), quick NEWS (qNEWS), quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score, Universal Vital Assessment (UVA) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores to predict a complicated inpatient course (death or requirement for intensive care unit (ICU) support) in patients with two or more systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria was determined. ResultsAmong the 509 patients, 30 (6%) were HIV-seropositive. The most commonly confirmed diagnoses were tuberculosis (30/509, 5.9%) and measles (26/509, 5.1%). Overall, 75/509 (14.7%) died or required ICU support. All the scores except the qSOFA score, which was inferior, had a similar ability to predict a complicated inpatient course. ConclusionsIn this resource-limited tropical setting, disease severity scores calculated at presentation using only vital signs–such as the NEWS2 score–identified high-risk sepsis patient as well as the SOFA score, which is calculated at 24 h and which also requires laboratory data. Use of these simple clinical scores can be used to facilitate recognition of the high-risk patient and to optimise the use of finite resources.

Outcomes After Vascular Surgery Procedures in Patients with COVID-19 Infection: A National Multicenter Cohort Study (COVID-VAS)

ObjectivesTo analyze the outcome of vascular procedures performed in patients with COVID-19 infection during the 2020 pandemic.MethodsThis is a multicenter, prospective observational cohort study. We analyzed data from 75 patients with COVID-19 infection undergoing vascular surgery procedures in 17 hospitals across Spain and Andorra between March and May 2020. The primary end point was 30-day mortality. Clinical Trials registry number NCT04333693.ResultsThe mean age was 70.9 (45–94) and 58 (77.0%) patients were male. Around 70.7% had postoperative complications, 36.0% of patients experienced respiratory failure, 22.7% acute renal failure, and 22.7% acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). All-cause 30-days mortality rate was 37.3%. Multivariate analysis identified age >65 years (P = 0.009), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification IV (P = 0.004), preoperative lymphocyte count <0.6 (×109/L) (P = 0.001) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) >500 (UI/L) (P = 0.004), need for invasive ventilation (P = 0.043), postoperative acute renal failure (P = 0.001), ARDS (P = 0.003) and major amputation (P = 0.009) as independent variables associated with mortality. Preoperative coma (P = 0.001), quick Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score ≥2 (P = 0.043), lymphocytes <0.6 (×109/L) (P = 0.019) leucocytes >11.5 (×109/L) (P = 0.007) and serum ferritin >1800 mg/dL (P = 0.004), bilateral lung infiltrates on thorax computed tomography (P = 0.025), and postoperative acute renal failure (P = 0.009) increased the risk of postoperative ARDS. qSOFA score ≥2 was the only risk factor associated with postoperative sepsis (P = 0.041).ConclusionsPatients with COVID-19 infection undergoing vascular surgery procedures showed poor 30-days survival. Age >65 years, preoperative lymphocytes <0.6 (x109/L) and LDH >500 (UI/L), and postoperative acute renal failure, ARDS and need for major amputation were identified as prognostic factors of 30-days mortality.

Correlation of qSOFA with Severity of COVID-19 Infection Assessed on Admission at Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore

Introduction: The COVID-19 crisis is continuously taxing the world with a huge impact on mortality, morbidity and disease related mental stress. COVID-19 has a variable presentation encompassing from simple myalgias to development of ARDS. Early detection of patients with severe COVID 19 infection by utilizing simple bed side clinical tool like qSOFA, which has been previously used for detection of severity of sepsis could help us in early triage and subsequent management of these patients in specialized dedicated units of the hospital. Thus help in limiting the mortality and morbidity because of this deadly contagion. &#x0D; Aims &amp; Objectives: To correlate the severity of qSOFA score with the clinical severity and outcome of COVID-19 infection at presentation among admitted patients in tertiary care hospitals of Lahore.&#x0D; Place and duration of study: This study was conducted simultaneously at three tertiary care hospitals of Lahore, including Lahore General Hospital, Jinnah Hospital Lahore and Chaudhary Muhammad Akram Teaching and Research Hospital, Lahore.&#x0D; Material &amp; Methods: A retrospective descriptive study on 120 RT PCR positive confirmed COVID-19 patients of both genders, more than 18 years of age. Case records of patients admitted in General Corona ward, Isolation wards, HDUs and ICUs were analyzed. The data analysis was done in SPSS version 20. Factors including blood pressure, respiratory rate, and conscious level were used to calculate the qSOFA score. COVID 19 infection was divided into mild, moderate, severe and critically ill. The relationship of qSOFA score was studied with severity of COVID-19 infection, outcome of disease and age by using the Pearson correlation.&#x0D; Results: Eighty-four (70%) patients were male and thirty-six (30%) were female, with mean age of 59.42 ± 13.49 years. Sixty-eight, twenty-five, five and 0.8 percent patients had critical, severe, moderate and mild disease respectively. Most frequent comorbids found were hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease. A statistically significant correlation was observed between qSOFA with severity of COVID 19, age, and outcome of infection at the level of 0.01.&#x0D; Conclusion: qSOFA is a reliable bedside tool to measure severity and predict outcome of COVID 19 infection.