APACHE II and its physiologic parameters as predictors of outcomes in surgical ICUs

APACHE II is a general severity of disease classification system in ICUs. Few studies have been conducted on the physiologic parameters of this system separately.The goal of the current study was to assess APACHE II and its physiologic parameters in prediction of the outcomes (died, survivor) in surgical ICU. This is an observational and prospective study of 150 consecutive patients admitted in surgical ICU during six months period. Demographic information recorded in a check list and information about severity of disease calculated based on APACHE II scoring system in the first admission 24 hours. Student T- test and chi square were used for statistical analysis (95% confidence interval). Data analyses showed significant statistical differences between outcomes and APACHE II (p= 0/03), the serum creatinine levels (p< 0/001), urea (p=0/03), white blood cell levels (p=0/028) and acute physiology score (p=0/008). APACHE II is a good predictor of outcome in surgical ICU; also the Cr, urea, WBC levels and acute physiology score are good parameters as indicators of illness severity.