title: Validation of the multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) score in critically ill medical and surgical patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To validate the Multiple Organ Dysfunction (MOD) score externally.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed medical/surgical ICU in a tertiary referral university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thousand eight hundred and nine patients admitted to ICU for more than 24 h over a 3-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MOD score was calculated daily for all patients. The criterion validity of the individual organ scores, the maximal MOD score and the change in MOD score were assessed by examining the relationship between increasing scores and ICU mortality. Increased maximal MOD scores and each of the six individual organ scores, and change in MOD scores were associated with increased mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maximal and individual organ scores have criterion validity when tested in a different ICU from that in which the scores were derived, indicating that the scoring systems are reproducible. The association of change in MOD score with mortality indicates that the score is responsive. These data, combined with previous data establishing concept and content validity, indicate that the MOD score is a valid measure of multi-organ dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. gomersall@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Gomersall
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ramsay
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000145:classification* / Q000401:mortality; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012720:Severity of Illness Index