Performance of quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score for prognosis of heat-related hospitalized patients

Abstract

Background: Heat-related illnesses pose significant threats to human health.

Objectives: (1) To evaluate the use of qSOFA score for prognosis of heat-related hospitalized patients; and (2) identify other predictors for patient prognosis.

Methods: Using 28-day mortality as the primary endpoint, a retrospective, observational study of patients hospitalized between June 2013 and September 2018 was conducted.

Results: The qSOFA score from 84 patients was identified as an independent predictor of patient prognosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for qSOFA score was 0.702, and a sensitivity of 100.00% and a specificity of 47.06% were found for qSOFA score greater than or equal to 2. Other predictors included bilirubin, urea nitrogen, and troponin I levels.

Conclusions: qSOFA score can be used as a parameter to distinguish patients with severe heat-related illness prior to further clinical analyses. In addition to that, multiple organ impairment should be considered when assessing patient prognosis.

Keywords: Heat stroke; Hospitalization; Mortality; qSOFA.