[Validation of organ failure scoring systems in objective illness characterization]

Multiple organ failure syndrome is the leading cause of death in intensive care units. Medical scales and scoring systems are used for objective characterization of patients, quantitation of illness severity, prognosis, identification of high-risk patients, determination of treatment effectiveness and final outcome. We reviewed some data about the most frequently used scoring systems describing organ failure. Multiple Organ Dysfunction score (MODs) grades increasing severity of dysfunction of vital significant organ systems and it reflects intensity of SIRS.APACHE II and APACHE III scoring systems and SOFA score are used widely in clinical practice.