Critical Care

SOFA Score

Sequential Organ Failure Assessment — estimates ICU mortality based on 6 organ systems.

When to use: Used in ICU patients to quantify organ dysfunction and predict mortality. A SOFA score ≥2 from baseline defines organ dysfunction in Sepsis-3 criteria. Serial SOFA scores track disease trajectory.

Calculator

Respiration (PaO₂/FiO₂)

Coagulation (Platelets ×10³/µL)

Liver (Bilirubin mg/dL)

Cardiovascular

Neurology (GCS)

Renal (Creatinine / Urine Output)

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Formula

SOFA = Respiration + Coagulation + Liver + Cardiovascular + Neurology + Renal Each organ system scored 0–4. Max score = 24.

Key Points for NEET PG

Sepsis-3 (2016) defines sepsis as life-threatening organ dysfunction: SOFA ≥2 from baseline
SOFA was originally called the "Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment" — renamed "Sequential" to reflect serial use
qSOFA (quick SOFA) — altered mentation + RR ≥22 + SBP ≤100 — is used outside ICU to screen for sepsis
SOFA score increase of ≥2 points associated with ~10% mortality in hospitalised patients
Commonly tested alongside APACHE II in critical care MCQs — SOFA is organ-specific, APACHE II uses physiological variables

References

The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3) · JAMA (2016)

Use of the SOFA score to assess the incidence of organ dysfunction/failure in intensive care units · Critical Care Medicine (1998)

For educational purposes only. Not for clinical decision-making without professional oversight.