SOFA score

1 Definition
2 Classification
3 Evaluation

1 Definition

The SOFA score is a score used in medicine for the assessment of patients in the intensive care unit. The SOFA score evaluates the degree of organ dysfunction and helps determine the mortality risk of a patient.

SOFA is an acronym for sequential organ failure Assessment.

2 Classification

In order to determine the SOFA score six organs are evaluated using specific parameters. Each organ system is awarded a score between 0 points (normal function) and 4 points (very limited function left).

2.1 Respiration

PaO₂/FiO₂ (mmHg)	Points
< 400	1
< 300	2
< 200 and artificial respiration	3
< 100 and artificial respiration	4

2.2 Central nervous system

Glasgow Coma score	Points
13-14	1
10-12	2
6-9	3
<6	4

2.3 Cardiovascular System

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) or administration of vasopressors	Points
MAP < 70 mmHg	1
Dopamine ≤ 5 µg/kg/min or Dobutamine (regardless of dosage)	2
Dopamine > 5 µg/kg/min or adrenaline ≤ 0,1 µg/kg/min oder noradrenaline ≤ 0,1 µg/kg/min	3
Dopamine > 15 µg/kg/min oder adrenaline > 0,1 µg/kg/min or noradrenaline > 0,1 µg/kg/min	4

2.4 Liver function

Bilirubin mg/dl	Points
1,2 -1,9 mg/dl	1
2,0 - 5,9 mg/dl	2
6,0 - 11,9 mg/dl	3
>12,0 mg/dl	4

2.5 Blood clotting

Thrombocytes × 10³/µl	Points
< 150	1
< 100	2
< 50	3
< 20	4

2.6 Renal function

Creatinine mg/dl	Points
1,2 - 1,9 mg/dl	1
2,0 - 3,4 mg/dl	2
3,5 - 4,9 mg/dl	3
> 5 mg/dl	4

3 Evaluation

The SOFA score is determined every 24 hours. Changes in the score during the intensive care treatment provide information about the risk of mortality. Not only the summed score but also the progression of the individual organ system is of importance.

A simplified version of the SOFA score is the qSOFA score.

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