Multiple system organ failure: a study of outcome

One hundred patients with Multiple System Organ Failure (MSOF) were studied. The precipitating factors were infections, poisoning, metabolic disorders, surgical disorders and cardiac arrest resulting in an overall mortality of 65%. Mean inpatient stay was 3.86 days, being significantly longer in patients who survived (6.25 days). Age, sex, addictions and premorbid health did not affect outcome. GIT (89%), CNS (81%) and Liver failure (62%) were seen most commonly. Highest mortalities were observed with RS (81.2%), CVS (80.37%) and CNS (76.5%). The mortality with 2,3,4,5,6 and 7 OSF was 8.3%, 18.7%, 70%, 92%, 100% and 100% respectively. The mortality was highest (50.76%) on the first day of MSOF and during the initial 48 hours of the total duration of disease. The method proposes an easily reproducible way to evaluate severity of illness and predicting outcome in acute MSOF.