The impact of organ dysfunctions on mortality in patients with severe sepsis: A multicenter prospective observational study

Purpose: Disseminated intravascular coagulations (DIC), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and acute kidney injury (AKI) are major organ dysfunctions that occur in patients with sepsis. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of these organ dysfunctions on mortality in patients with severe sepsis. Material and methods: A prospective observational study was performed in 10 ICUs to obtain data from patients with severe sepsis. Multivariate analyses to examine in-hospital mortality were performed. Results: Data of 573 patients were analyzed. In-hospital mortality rate was 19.4% (111/573). The incidences of DIC, ARDS, and AKI were 58.4%, 18.7%, and 41.7%, while the associated mortality rates were 28.9%, 36.4%, and 31.8%, respectively. In multiple regression model, DIC (odds ratio 2.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45–5.27) and AKI stage 3 (odds ratio 1.98, 95% CI 1.07–3.63) were significantly associated with higher in-hospital all-cause mortality. DIC (hazard ratio 2.58, 95% CI 1.53–4.55) and AKI stage 3 (hazard ratio 1.73, 95% CI 1.07–2.80) were also significantly associated with longer survival durations. However, severe ARDS was not associated with these outcomes. Conclusions: DIC and AKI are frequent complications in patients with severe sepsis. In this study, DIC, and AKI stage 3 were independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality.