Multiple organ dysfunction score for assessing patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome

Abstract

Background/purpose: Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne viral disease with high mortality rates. The Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS) is used for assessing organ dysfunction and predicting outcomes in critically ill patients. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between MODS and clinical outcomes in patients with SFTS. Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study involving patients with SFTS between 2013 and 2023. Patients were categorized into four groups (0–1, 2–3, 4–5, and ≥6) based on their MODS at admission and day 7. Results: Among the 97 patients with SFTS, the mean age was 62.4 years with 53.6 % males. The 7-day mortality rate for patients with MODS ≥6 was 37.5 %, compared to 0 % for those with MODS 0–1. Patients with MODS scores of 4–5 also showed high 7-day mortality (25.0 %). Higher MODS scores were significantly associated with elevated mortality rates. Viral loads and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with MODS ≥6 than those with lower scores. Conclusions: MODS is a valuable prognostic tool for assessing disease severity in patients with SFTS. Monitoring changes in MODS could improve outcomes by identifying patients who need aggressive treatment early in the disease course.